Liverpool boss Arne Slot dismisses Everton’s derby complaints

Arne Slot, the Liverpool manager, has denied Everton claims that referee Darren England should have added more than three minutes to the conclusion of Saturday’s Merseyside derby.

Ryan Gravenberch and Hugo Ekitike gave Liverpool a 2-1 victory at Anfield, but visiting manager David Moyes was left frustrated after his side were unable to build on a second-half strike from Idrissa Gueye as the hosts, not for the first time this season, struggled to maintain their early momentum.

“I found it strange it was only three minutes,” said Moyes. “If Liverpool were 2-1 down, I’m not sure if three minutes would have been put up.”

‘I would have loved to play on for a few minutes’

Those thoughts were echoed by midfielder Jack Grealish, who suggested “four or five minutes” would have been more in line with standard Premier League practice. But Slot defended England’s decision, pointing out that Liverpool might even have extended their lead had the full-time whistle not been blown when it was.

“A lot has been said about the added time against Everton, but I would have loved to play on for a few seconds more because we were in a five-v-two situation at that moment,” said Slot. “That tells you, I think, all about the mentality we have, always wanting to score a goal.

“The three minutes were completely correct, by the way, because there were only three moments where a substitution was made. 

“There was no time-wasting because that’s not what we do – unfortunately, I have to say, sometimes – and there was no treatment of injuries, [and only] one goal scored [in the second half]. Then you come to three [minutes]. 

“In many other games when we need a goal, there’s a lot, a lot, a lot of time-wasting going on, I can tell you.”

Late goals

Slot’s side have acquired a habit of scoring late goals this season, with Federico Chiesa, Rio Ngumoha and Virgil van Dijk all rescuing victory for Liverpool after they had squandered a two-goal lead.

The Dutchman confirmed that Liverpool would field “a completely changed lineup” against Southampton in the League Cup on Tuesday night.

“It’s the same as we did last season in the League Cup,” said Slot. “So many games need to be played, and our players are able to do so.

“But once in a while they need a bit of rest as well, because we sometimes tend to forget because we are so focused – and I’m the first one – on our games at Liverpool, but many of them have played twice for the national teams as well.”