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Liverpool head coach Arne Slot did not hide his emotions after his side’s dramatic 2-1 defeat to Manchester City at Anfield. Anger, frustration, and disappointment were written all over his post-match press conference as he reflected on a game Liverpool largely controlled, yet still ended up losing in the cruellest fashion.
The Reds had taken a deserved second-half lead through a stunning Dominik Szoboszlai free-kick, only for City to turn the match around late on with goals from Bernardo Silva and Erling Haaland. A stoppage-time penalty, a disallowed long-range goal, and a red card for Dominik Szoboszlai ensured a chaotic ending that left Liverpool feeling hard done by. Slot’s words offered insight not only into the decisions that shaped the result, but also into the clear progress he believes his team is making.
“A Feeling of Anger and Disappointment”
Slot opened his press conference by addressing the emotional ending to the match and made no attempt to soften his feelings.
“Yes, a feeling of anger, a feeling of disappointment,” he admitted.
The Liverpool boss felt Manchester City had the better of the first half in terms of ball control, but without causing too much real danger. Aside from Erling Haaland’s early one-on-one chance in the opening minute, City did not create many clear openings.
“They played easier with the ball,” Slot said, “but the improvement we have made since three or four months ago was visible for everyone.”
That sense of visible progress is something Slot keeps returning to, even when results fail to reflect it.
A Second Half That Showed Liverpool’s Growth
While the opening 45 minutes were relatively even, Slot was clear that the second half represented a significant step forward for his side.
“Our standards went up,” he explained. “Standards in terms of intensity.”
Liverpool pressed City aggressively, pushed them back, and forced errors from a side widely regarded as the best possession team in England.
“To do so well off the ball against a team that is probably one of the best in England is a big improvement,” Slot said. “Fantastic second half.”
The frustration for the Dutchman was that Liverpool did not make more of their dominance.
“I was expecting more than being 1-0 up,” he admitted, before adding the painful conclusion: “Then two goals conceded.”
Szoboszlai’s Red Card and the Disallowed Goal Explained
One of the most controversial moments of the match came in stoppage time when Rayan Cherki appeared to score from near the halfway line with Alisson Becker out of goal. The effort was ruled out after a tangle between Haaland and Szoboszlai, with the Liverpool midfielder shown a straight red card. Slot’s response was layered, sarcastic at times, and deeply frustrated.
“When you asked me what do you think about the decision, I thought, what do you mean?” he said, before listing several other decisions across both meetings with City that could have gone differently.
Despite his frustration, Slot accepted the letter of the law regarding Szoboszlai’s dismissal.
“Dominik makes a foul on Haaland, which is a clear shirt-pull, and he was through to goal, so he would have scored,” Slot said. “So that’s a red card.”
He acknowledged that following the rulebook makes the decision technically correct, even if it goes against the spirit of the game.
“If you like football you say, leave it as it is, it’s a goal, it’s good for everyone,” he added. “But if you are the Sunderland manager, you prefer to see a red card. That’s the rule and follow the rules is all we ask.”
The Shirt Pull on Salah That Still Hurts
While Slot accepted Szoboszlai’s red card, his main frustration lay elsewhere. Earlier in the match, Mohamed Salah was pulled back by Marc Guehi while breaking through one-on-one with the goalkeeper. The referee awarded a free-kick but did not show a red card.
“For eight years Mo Salah is scoring that ball every single time,” Slot said. “That is not a red card, then there is more of my frustration.”
To Slot, consistency was the issue. If rules are followed strictly in one situation, he expects the same interpretation in others.
“That is all we ask,” he stressed
Slot’s View on the Late Penalty Decision
Manchester City’s winning goal came from the penalty spot after Alisson Becker collided with Matheus Nunes as he rushed off his line. Slot was clear and measured in his assessment.
“If it would have happened on the other side I would have asked for a penalty,” he admitted.
He accepted there was contact and acknowledged that the ball was out of play, making the decision understandable. However, he questioned the wider process.
“If the referee doesn’t give a penalty, would VAR then have interfered?” Slot asked. “That’s what we will never know.”
Once again, he returned to the earlier incident involving Salah, believing it deserved far more attention than it received.
Late Goals and Fine Margins at the Top
Liverpool have now conceded another late goal in the Premier League, and Slot explained why these moments often decide matches between elite teams.
“It’s every time a different goal,” he said.
He pointed to a key moment just before City scored their winner. Curtis Jones had advanced in a promising situation, with Salah making a deep run.
“Curtis is such a special and good player on the ball,” Slot explained. “There was a fair chance he would have found Mo.”
Instead, Guehi produced a crucial interception, underlining how small the margins were.
“That is how the margins between these teams are,” Slot said.
Progress Without Reward in the League Table
Perhaps the most telling part of Slot’s press conference was his reflection on Liverpool’s overall trajectory.
“The next step for us is not to rely on that pass or another decision,” he said. “We are getting there.”
Slot believes the team has improved significantly compared to three or four months ago, especially in physical and mental performance.
“The issue is you don’t see this improvement in the league table,” he admitted. “That is always the most important reflection of where you are.”
It was an honest acknowledgment of the challenge facing Liverpool as they try to convert performances into points.
Injury Updates Ahead of Sunderland Clash
Slot also provided an update on his squad ahead of Wednesday night’s match against Sunderland. Jeremie Frimpong has been ruled out.
“Jeremie for sure not,” Slot confirmed. “We knew when he got injured that it was a few weeks.”
Joe Gomez’s return remains uncertain.
“I don’t expect Joe to be back, but you never know,” Slot said, highlighting the difficult decisions managers face when players return from injury.
Szoboszlai, however, is definitely unavailable due to suspension, despite Slot praising his performance.
“Dom played a very good game,” he said, “but unfortunately he is unavailable for Wednesday.”
What Changed at Half-Time?
Despite Liverpool’s clear improvement after the break, Slot revealed there were no major tactical changes at half-time.
“We did not change that much,” he explained.
Instead, the difference came from sustained energy and momentum.
“Both teams get a little bit tired,” Slot said. “Momentum is coming, fans are behind the team, you get a lot of energy.”
He praised the physical and mental output of his players in the second half, calling it a “very good performance” despite the result.
Final Thoughts: Painful, but Promising
Arne Slot’s post-match reaction painted a picture of a Liverpool side that is improving rapidly but still learning how to win at the very highest level. The disappointment of losing late to Manchester City was clear, as was the frustration with key refereeing decisions. Yet beneath the anger, there was belief.
Belief in the press. Belief in the intensity. Belief that Liverpool are closing the gap. Results may not always show it yet, but performances like this suggest that Slot’s Liverpool are moving in the right direction, even when football delivers its harshest lessons.
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YNWA (You’ll Never Walk Alone)!
The Liverpool FC Times Team
LiverpoolFCTimes.com