Arne Slot expressed little surprise at the VAR reversal of Liverpool's penalty claim against Paris Saint-Germain, citing a pattern of unfavorable decisions against his team this season. Liverpool's Champions League campaign ended with a 2-0 quarter-final defeat to PSG at Anfield, resulting in a 4-0 aggregate loss. Despite a spirited performance, the Reds were punished by Ousmane Dembele's late double. A potential turning point came when Alexis Mac Allister's penalty appeal was overturned by the referee after a VAR review, a decision Tim Sherwood described as 'soft' but a penalty nonetheless.
Slot noted, 'If the referee doesn't give a penalty, the VAR wouldn't have overturned it,' highlighting inconsistency in VAR interventions. Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate also believed it was a clear penalty, suggesting the outcome could have been different if the penalty had been awarded. However, PSG had also been denied penalties in the first leg, with VAR overturning a decision against Konate for a foul.
Slot's comments reflect Liverpool's underwhelming season, which has seen them fail to build on their Premier League win under his management last year. The club is undergoing a transition, having sold several players to fund new signings, and Slot faces pressure to secure a top-five finish and Champions League football for next season.
He remains optimistic about the club's future, especially if they can attract top talent to replace departing players like Mo Salah and Andy Robertson.