Advertisement

Arne Slot weighs in on Liverpool controversy that Roy Keane was '100 per cent' convinced on

-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)


Arne Slot had no complaints over the penalty that Liverpool conceded against Southampton with the foul being very close to the line and the Dutchman didn't appear too fussed about Adam Lallana avoiding a red card either despite Roy Keane insisting the former Reds midfielder should have walked for his tackle on Ryan Gravenberch.

"In general, sometimes you could have made a different decision or not," Slot said. "But for me, with the offsides and deciding if a ball is inside or outside, that is just black and white. It was a foul, that was clear, so if they saw it was inside then, yes, it’s a penalty.

"Sometimes with a knock, yes or no, or red card, yes or no. There was also an incident in the first half where you could argue if it’s a red card, yes or no. Those things you can argue, but offside and inside or outside the 18-yard box is something you cannot argue."

Speaking while on punditry duty for Sky Sports, Keane was convinced that Liverpool should have been playing against 10 men for most of the game. Lallana's challenge earned him a yellow card and the contact was just about low enough on Gravenberch's leg to avoid the VAR, Michael Oliver, intervening.

"He's not in control," Keane said. "He's not even looking at the ball! There at the right last second [he looks]. Listen, I would have been sent off for it. I would have done! 100 per cent. And there would have been no complaints

"They've definitely looked at the player and thought "well he's not the nasty type". None of the Liverpool players were appealing for it, he's an ex-teammate... the more I look at it the worse it is. I think it's a red."

Roy Keane.
Roy Keane felt Adam Lallana should've been sent off against Liverpool. -Credit:Sky Sports Premier League/X

Southampton boss Russell Martin also felt the referee could have given his side a second penalty kick when striker Adam Armstrong collided with Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher. The decision was a free-kick to the Reds with the Saints feeling that could have gone the other way.

"I have a big issue with Armstrong not getting a penalty at 2-1," he said live on Sky Sports. "The goalkeeper collides with him. It's what VAR is there for. I have a big problem with that decision."

Liverpool.com says: Whether some of the key decisions were correct or not (and like Slot says, some of them for both sides can be argued), Liverpool ensured there were no excuses needed. Mohamed Salah stepped up with the two late goals and the points were secured. Any TV studio debate about whether the Reds were hard done by on occasion was had in that context.