Liverpool Manager Arne Slot says that the announcements of referees are “not necessary” in the game and wants to increase matchday teams to 23 players.
Stuart Attwell was the first officer in the history of English football who announced a decision during a game The red traveled to Tottenham In the first leg of the EFL Cup semi-final on January 8, in which a video assistant referee (var) was declared offside against a Dominic Solanke goal for Spurs.
The approach will continue to be tested in the semi-finals in the semi-finals this week, whereby the PGMOL reflects the management of the PGMOL agency for the “commitment to transparency and the consideration of technological advances in the benefit of play officials and fans”.
“It was so obvious that it was not absolutely necessary to announce that it was offside,” said Slot about Atwell’s announcement. “The reason we were all interested in was the reason why he did not give a second yellow card (Tottenhams Lucas Bergvall), which he did not explain.
“But if he had explained it, it might have been a disadvantage for the home team. Then maybe there will be more pressure on the referee, so I wonder if it is a good thing for the referee because he is already under pressure from home fans in every game. “
Take on official dates for the #Carabaocup Semi-final side legs were confirmed ✅ pic.twitter.com/kbukeezy8d
– PGMOL (@fa_pgmol) February 3, 2025
Slot ‘would not be a good referee’
Bergvall achieved the winner four minutes before the time, but an angry slot was previously booked for his protests after the midfielder, who had already been booked, had remained on the field after a challenge by the Liverpool defender Kostas Tsimika.
“He explains a decision against the home team in his next decisions he has to make even more pressure,” suggested Slot.
“They always tell me that they are well trained, which I am certainly not. If I have to blow my pipe during a training session, then I’m always like “Hmm Mountain Vall, he is a bit frustrated, give us the free kick the next time.” I would probably not be a good referee, but that’s my opinion.
“I see when the referee makes a decision. I take two steps backwards and see the live reporting about everything, but that is probably not available for every fan in the stadium.
“If the fans like it and it is something nice for fans, let’s do it. I wonder if we all like it, but if the fans really like it, let’s continue with it. “
🔊The first in-stadium-VAR decision announcement has just been made in English football
❌referee Stuart Attwell, who confirms that Dominic Solanke’s goal for Tottenham against Liverpool was offside
Still 0-0 in this @Efl Cup semi-final first leg #THFC #LFC pic.twitter.com/kv2S65PCMO
– Neil Barker (@mockneyrelebel) January 8, 2025
Postecoglou criticizes Var announcements
Tottenham Manager Verzecoglou also seemed to be unimpressed by the announcement. “When people think that this announcement added something to the game this evening, I’m sorry,” he said about Sky Sports after the first leg over Sky Sports BBC Sport. “It used to be that you set up your flag and continue the game, but still.”
Referee will use Stadium Public Address Systems to explain the final decision after a visit to the Var Pitchside monitor of incidents such as a random handball by a top scorer or offside judgments. Only the final decision was announced in the stadium.
The announcements were previously used at FIFA events such as the 2023 World Cup.
An update from Arne Slot about Trent Alexander-Arnold’s injury 🗣️ https://t.co/ogkse2nzuk pic.twitter.com/5tinilec9a
– Liverpool FC (@LFC) February 5, 2025
Liverpool Team News against Tottenham
Wideman Trent Alexander-Arnold is Liverpool’s only absent if you try to overthrow the deficit in Anfield on Thursday (8 p.m. GMT) against opponents 29 points among them Premier League.
Slot said he would say goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher and Alisson Becker, who started the game on Wednesday and asked why Matchday teams are limited to 20 players.
“This is one of the few things I don’t understand here in England,” he argued. “All over the world – and in Europe, when we play in the Champions League – we can bring 23 players to the game.
“Those like us, Aston Villa, Arsenal, Chelsea and everyone who are in Europe play so many games. If you are able to play all these games, you need a large squad.
“It is difficult to choose the first 11, but to tell someone that he is not in the squad makes it even more difficult. I don’t understand why we don’t go to 23. “
⏪ relapse too @LFC‘S last #Carabaocup Half -final in Angeld! 🔴#Efl pic.twitter.com/8pa6apsipr
– Carabao Cup (@Carabao_cup) January 29, 2025
Slot: Matchday squad size ‘difficult’
“This country plays most games and we only have 20 players that we can take. Nine substitutes are more than enough, but to keep the changing rooms going, they need more than 20 players.
“Why can’t we bring 23 players into play? Since it is the rule here, this will probably be the most difficult decision I have to make – not the first 11, but to leave out someone who works and wants to participate every day. Not even bringing them to the game is the most difficult decision. “
Newcastle moderator Arsenal with a 2-0 lead In the first semi-final decider on Wednesday (8 p.m. GMT). The additional time is used when the ties are a level after 90 minutes, as well as punishments if there is no winner 30 minutes later.
