Slot says VAR has gone against Liverpool – is he right?

Liverpool’s manager Arne Slot expressed frustration over a contentious VAR decision during their clash with Paris St-Germain. The Dutchman argued that the referee’s initial call was incorrect, and the video assistant referee (VAR) intervened to reverse it. The incident, occurring in the 64th minute, could have shifted the course of the tie, particularly after Liverpool trailed 2-0 from the first leg.

Slot’s disappointment echoed broader concerns about VAR rulings this season. He highlighted that his team has faced similar penalty decisions where minimal contact was deemed sufficient, yet VAR did not step in. This sentiment was reinforced when Ousmane Dembele scored five minutes after the restart, sealing PSG’s 2-0 victory and 4-0 aggregate win.

“I’m not surprised,” Slot stated. “So many decisions have gone against us this season.” “It’s quite simple. If the referee doesn’t give a penalty, the VAR would have never overturned it. I’ve seen so many soft penalties given, but people say VAR can’t interfere because there is contact. That is what we clearly see.”

The pivotal moment involved Alexis Mac Allister attempting to claim a loose ball inside the penalty area. He positioned his body in front of PSG defender Willian Pacho and went to ground. Referee Maurizio Mariani initially awarded a spot-kick, but VAR official Marco di Bello swiftly directed him to the pitchside monitor. The controversy stemmed from Pacho’s contact on the back of Mac Allister’s boot, which some questioned whether it was enough to warrant a penalty.

Variations in referee interpretation often drive VAR interventions. The system relies on the on-field official’s description of the incident to the VAR. Was the foul a push or a trip? The exact nature of the decision remains unclear, but the VAR’s involvement suggests the referee’s account differed from the visual evidence.

Slot acknowledged that Liverpool had benefited from VAR in the first leg. A PSG penalty was overturned, and another claim might have triggered a review. However, this did not prevent the Reds from being defeated, ending their trophy hopes. The manager also pointed to a penalty at Brentford, where a soft foul by Virgil van Dijk was upgraded to a spot-kick by VAR. Similarly, a free-kick against Leeds United was later confirmed as a penalty after Ibrahima Konate’s challenge.

Despite these interventions, Liverpool’s VAR record remains mixed. They have conceded three penalties in the Premier League this season, more than any other team. However, they have also had two penalties awarded through VAR, both against Burnley. Only Aston Villa and Tottenham have fewer spot-kicks, though they haven’t received any yet. In terms of negative goal outcomes, Liverpool faced six VAR overturns, with Fulham suffering the most at nine.

Net VAR interventions, calculated as favorable calls minus unfavorable ones, show Liverpool’s record stands at -3, worse than only Everton’s -4. Yet, Slot’s grievances may extend beyond stats. He referenced other controversial decisions, including Florian Wirtz’s penalty claim against Arsenal in January, which might have influenced his perspective on VAR’s role in football.