Liverpool’s Arne Slot not a fan of in-stadium VAR announcements

LONDON – Liverpool manager Arne Slot says he is not a fan of in-stadium video assistant referee (VAR) announcements, as he fears they will increase the pressure on referees.

The initiative is being trialled by the English Football League during the League Cup semi-finals, with the second legs taking place this week.

Referees announce the final decision following a visit to the VAR pitch-side monitor or at the “conclusion of factual matters, such as accidental handball by a goalscorer or offside judgements”.

Only the final decision is announced to supporters.

The English Premier League in 2024 said the supporter experience of video technology was “nowhere near good enough”.

The organisation’s chief football officer Tony Scholes said this week that the league’s “intention” was that referees would announce the outcome of VAR reviews from the start of next season.

But Slot, whose in-form team will seek to overturn a 1-0 deficit from the first leg when they host Tottenham at Anfield on Feb 6, voiced doubts about the potential change.

“I wonder if it is a good thing for the referee because he’s already under a lot of pressure in every game from the home fans,” the Liverpool boss said at his pre-match press conference on Feb 5.

“And I think him explaining if it’s against the home team would even add more pressure in the next and the next and the next decision he has to make.

“But they always tell me they are very well-trained for this, which I am certainly not because if I need to blow my whistle during a training session, then I’m always like, ‘OK, he’s a bit frustrated, let’s give him the free kick for the next time’. So I would probably not be a good referee.”

Slot said defender Trent Alexander-Arnold is out of the match against Spurs and is a doubt for the FA Cup fourth-round game at Plymouth Argyle on Feb 9.

“He left the pitch with a bit of a pain in his leg (against Bournemouth on Feb 1),” said the Dutchman. “That’s why he misses the game tomorrow but he’s already on the pitch, not with the team, but with the rehab coach. So let’s see how long it’s going to take but he will not be available tomorrow.”

Liverpool, six points clear at the top of the Premier League with a game in hand, are still in contention for a quadruple of trophies in Slot’s first season in charge and he is relaxed about the club’s inactivity in the January transfer window.

“Maybe there are not many managers that have such a good squad as I have,” he said.

“We have a very good squad and if you look at the league table, I think the players have shown that the trust we have in them was correct and we don’t have many injuries, not long-term injuries.”

Meanwhile, Spurs defender Djed Spence is confident he can stop Liverpool’s in-form Mohamed Salah, who has 25 goals and 17 assists this season.

The 24-year-old has found his stride in Ange Postecoglou’s side over the past two months, helping to keep Liverpool at bay in the first leg, and he has now set his sights on the final.

“I back myself against anyone. (Salah) is a great player and he is in good form but you have just got to nullify what he’s good at really,” Spence said on Feb 5.

“It’s been difficult but we fight for the manager, we fight for the club and we all believe in what he wants to do. We have got to be confident and ready to fight and hopefully we make it to the final.”

The winner of the two-legged tie between Liverpool and Tottenham will face either Newcastle United or Arsenal in the final at Wembley in March.

Newcastle are 2-0 up ahead of the second leg at St James’ Park on Feb 5. That match took place after press time. AFP, REUTERS