Liverpool manager Arne Slott says he has tried to influence referees during games this season, but admitted his efforts have not yielded any results.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Slot explained his approach to creating a siege mentality at Anfield, hoping he could influence the officials to favor his team in some cases.
“You try to make as much of an impact as you can,” Slot said.
“The mistake I’ve already made twice here, and once or twice in Holland, is sometimes you think that creating an atmosphere where the whole world is against you can lead to some positive decisions at the end of the game.
“But here, so far, in the Chelsea game and in the Fulham game for the whole 90 minutes it has remained the same.
“It wasn’t that after I tried to influence things a bit, the referee suddenly gave us one or two free kicks.
“No, he just kept it the same the whole game. I know it doesn’t work, but sometimes you think, ‘Can I influence it a little?’ But it didn’t help at all.”
“They make more good decisions than the referees” 😂
Arne Slot admits referees make him lose his temper more than Liverpool players 😂#LFC pic.twitter.com/XAuFoPlDUJ
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) December 17, 2024
Slott, who succeeded Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool manager in the summer, will serve a ban during Liverpool’s Carabao Cup clash with Southampton on Wednesday.
The suspension comes after the winger collected three yellow cards in his first 17 games in English football.
The Dutchman reflected on his disciplinary record, noting that it is unusual for him, although he admitted that emotions can sometimes affect him during matches.
“You always think, but I think, overall, I’m calm,” Slott added.
“I don’t know if it’s smart to say this, but there is a limit for me too – let’s put it that way.
“And then I can get emotional and, unfortunately, that limit is only reached by the refereeing decisions or the decisions that my players make.”
In Slott’s absence, his assistant Schipke Hulsoff will take charge in the side as Liverpool face Southampton.
The Saints are coming off a 5-0 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, a defeat which also saw them part ways with manager Russell Martin.
