Arne Slot makes surprise admission about his behaviour after Liverpool boss was handed a touchline ban following ’emotional’ and ‘frustrating’ 2-2 draw with Fulham
Arne Slot will serve a one-match touchline ban after an outburst on the touchline in Liverpool’s 2-2 draw with Fulham at Anfield.
The Dutchman was handed his third yellow card of the season after reacting frustratedly to Curtis Jones being booked for a mistimed challenge on Alex Iwobi.
Tensions were high after Liverpool saw Andy Robertson sent off for bringing down Harry Wilson and denying the visitors an obvious goal-scoring opportunity after 17 minutes.
And the 10-man side had to twice come from behind as goals from Cody Gakpo and Diogo Jota cancelled out Andreas Pereira and Rodrigo Muniz’s efforts respectively.
‘There were a few moments when I could have been given a yellow card,’ said Slot.
‘It’s an emotional game and we were a man down, it’s frustrating. It’s good to see our performance after so many setbacks.
Arne Slot admits he deserved to be carded multiple times after receiving a touchline ban for his third yellow of the season against Fulham
He reacted in frustration after Curtis Jones was carded for a mistimed foul on Alex Iwobi
Liverpool twice came from behind despite being down to 10 men to secure a point at Anfield
‘It’s difficult to judge for me because I only see it in real-time like the referee.
‘We have to accept what VAR sees. You know how important these decisions can be. We ended up with a draw and I don’t think we can blame the referee for that.’
Slot isn’t seen as a particularly cantankerous touchline presence and if typically more reserved than his predecessor Jurgen Klopp.
He was also booked in the 2-1 win over Chelsea and the 2-2 draw at Arsenal, both of which were in October.
Liverpool have just a five-point gap over Chelsea, who could slash that on Sunday as they welcome Brentford, although Enzo Maresca’s side will have played a game more than the Reds.
However, Slot’s men were helped by the fact that Arsenal were only able to muster a 0-0 draw against Everton despite dominating the Emirates Stadium affair.
Jota came off the bench to make his first appearance since October after injury and scored within seven minutes of coming on.
Pereira had volleyed Fulham ahead after 11 minutes but Gakpo replied with a flying header after a sublime Mohamed Salah cross.
Muniz’s goal set up a nervy end for Liverpool but Jota’s second equaliser 86 minutes into the match ensured that Slot’s men have still only lost one game all season – the 1-0 victory at Anfield in September.
‘I don’t think I could’ve asked for more from my players, especially after going down to 10 men,’ Slot told Sky Sports.
‘I couldn’t have asked for more in terms of performance and results. Of course, we could have had two points more.
‘At the start of the game, you always want to start intense. After 30 seconds, one of ours was on the floor and needed treatment for a while so we couldn’t get the intensity more.’
