Liverpool manager Arne Slot expressed his disappointment with the VAR decision to overturn a penalty in their Champions League match against Paris Saint-Germain, stating that his team has been on the receiving end of numerous unfavorable calls this season. The Reds were eliminated from the tournament after a 2-0 quarter-final loss at Anfield, resulting in a 4-0 aggregate defeat. Despite an impressive performance, Liverpool's hopes were dashed when Ousmane Dembele scored two late goals. A potential turning point in the game came when Alexis Mac Allister was denied a penalty, which was revoked by the referee after a VAR review.
Former player Tim Sherwood described the incident as a 'soft' penalty but believed it was a legitimate claim. Slot, however, was not surprised, citing the frequency of decisions going against his team.
'It's quite straightforward,' he said. 'If the referee doesn't award a penalty, VAR won't overturn it.
I've seen many soft penalties given, and people say VAR can't interfere because there's contact.' Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate also felt that the penalty claim was valid, stating that it would have changed the course of the game if it had been awarded. The match highlighted the challenges faced by Liverpool this season, with the team struggling to replicate their Premier League-winning form under Slot's management.
Despite signing notable players like Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz, the team has underperformed, leading to speculation about Slot's future. In response to criticism, Slot emphasized that the club is in a transition phase, having sold several players to fund new signings. He expressed confidence in the club's model, citing its potential for long-term success, especially with the prospect of signing talented players in the summer.