Arne Slot, the Liverpool manager, has claimed Everton that referee Darren England should have added more than three minutes to the conclusion of the Merseyside Derby of Saturday.
Ryan Gravenberch and Hugo Ekitike gave Liverpool a 2-1 victory in Anfield, but visiting manager David Moyes was left frustrated after his side could not build on a second half strike by Idrissa Gueye as hosts, not for the first time this season, struggled to keep their early momentum.
“I thought it was strange that it was only three minutes,” said Moyes. “If Liverpool was 2-1 down, I am not sure if three minutes would have been set up.”
‘I would like to play for a few minutes’
Those thoughts were reflected by midfielder Jack Grealish, who suggested that “four or five minutes” would have been more in line with the standard Premier League practice. But Slot defended the decision of England and pointed out that Liverpool might even have expanded their lead if the full -time whistle was not blown when it was.
“A lot has been said about the added time to Everton, but I would like to play a few seconds more because we were in a five-V-two situation at that time,” Slot said. “That tells you, I think, all about the mentality we have, always want to score a goal.
“The three minutes were completely correct, because there were only three moments when a replacement was made.
“There was no time-wasting, because that is not what we do-helaas I sometimes have to say-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 is a lot of, many, a lot of time going on, I can tell you.”
Late goals
The side of Slot has been given a habit to score late goals this season, with Federico Chiesa, Rio Ngumoha and Virgil van Dijk, all saving victory for Liverpool after they had wasted a lead of two goals.
The Dutchman confirmed that Liverpool would play a fully modified line -up against Southampton on Tuesday evening in the League Cup.
“It’s the same as last season in the League Cup,” said Slot. “So many games have to be played, and our players can do this.
“But occasionally they also need a little rest, because we sometimes tend to forget because we are so focused – and I am the first – in our matches in Liverpool, but many of them also played twice for the national teams.”
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