Liverpool manager Arne Slot says that referees’ announcements are “not necessary” and want to increase the matches to 23 players.
Stuart Attwell became the first official in English football history to announce a decision during a match when Reds traveled to Tottenham In the first leg of the EFL Cup semifinals on January 8, explaining a Var Video (VAR) Offside Call against a Dominic Solanke target for the Spurs.
The approach will continue to be tested in this week’s semi-finished second legs, with the official PGMol officially saying that the movement reflects a “commitment to transparency and embracing technological developments for the benefit of officials and fans of the race”.
“This was so obvious that it wasn’t really necessary to announce that it was offside,” Slot said for the Atwell announcement. “What we are all interested in was because he didn’t give a second yellow card (to Tottenham’s Lucas Bergvall), something he didn’t explain.
“But if he explained it, it might be a disadvantage for the team. Then, perhaps, there is more pressure on the referee, so I wonder if it’s good for the referee, because he already has a lot of pressure on every game than fans of the house.”
Match the official appointments for the #Carabaocup Have confirmed semifinals second legs ✅ pic.twitter.com/kbukeezy8d
– PGMOL (@fa_pgmol) 3 February 2025
The reception “would not be a good referee”
Bergvall scored the winner four minutes since time, but a furious reception had closed earlier for his protests, after the midfielder, who had already closed, remained on the pitch following a challenge for Liverpool’s defender Kostas Tsimikas.
“Explaining a decision against the team at home will add even greater pressure to its subsequent decisions to make,” the reception suggested.
“They always tell me that they are well trained for that, something I’m definitely not. If I have to hit my whistle during a workout, then I’m always like” Hmm Bergvall, it’s a little frustrated, let’s give him the free kick Next time. “
“I see when the referee decides. I go two steps backwards and I see the live coverage of everyone, but this is probably not available for each fan on the pitch.
“If his fans like it and it’s something nice for the fans, let’s do that. I wonder if everyone will like that, but if the fans really like them, let’s go on with it.”
The first decision announcement at Stadium Var has just been done in English football
❌referee Stuart Attwell confirms that Dominic Solanke’s goal for Tottenham vs Liverpool was offside
Still 0-0 in it @EFL Cup semifinal first leg #Thfc #LFC pic.twitter.com/kv2s65pcmo
– Neil Barker (@mockneyrebel) 8 January 2025
Postcoglou criticizes VAR announcements
The director of Tottenham Ange Postecoglou also seemed impressed by the announcement. “If people believe that the announcement added something to the game tonight, then I’m sorry,” he told Sky Sports after the first leg, via Bbc sport. “Once it was that you put on your flag and the game goes on, but anyway.”
The referees will use the Stadium Public Administration systems to declare the final decision after visiting VAR following incidents such as accidental handball from a scorer or offside decisions, with only the final decision to be announced on the pitch.
Announcements have been used in the past during FIFA events, including the 2023 World Women’s World Cup.
An update from Arne Reception in Trent Alexander-Arnold 🗣️ https://t.co/ogkse2nzuk pic.twitter.com/5Tinilec9a
– Liverpool FC (@LFC) February 5th 2025
Liverpool team news against Tottenham
Wide Trent Alexander-Arnold It is Liverpool’s only absence as they try to overturn the deficit on Anfield on Thursday (8pm GMT) against opponents 29 points below them in the Premier League.
Slot said he would say to goalkeepers Caoimhin Kelleher and Alisson Becker who would start the game on Wednesday and questioned why the matches are limited to 20 players.
“This is one of the only 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 get 23 players in the game.
“As long as we like, Aston Villa, Arsenal, Chelsea and everyone in Europe play so, so many games. If you are able to play all these games, you need a great team.
“Choosing the first 11 is difficult, but telling someone that it is not in the team makes it even harder. I don’t understand why we don’t go to 23.”
⏪ Return to @Lfclast #Carabaocup Semifinal at Anfield! 🔴#EFL pic.twitter.com/8pa6apsipr
– Carabao Cup (@Carabao_cup) January 29 2025
Slot: Size Race Team ‘Difficult’
“This country plays most games and we only have 20 players we can get. Nine substitutes are more than enough, but to keep dressing room going, you need more than 20 players.
“Why can’t we bring 23 players to the game? Since it’s the rule here, this will probably be the most difficult decision to make – not the first 11, but to leave someone who works so hard on a daily basis and wants to It is involved.
Newcastle Arsenal’s host with a 2-0 lead In the first semifinal decider on Wednesday (8pm GMT). Extra time will be used if the bonds are flat on inert after 90 minutes, as well as sanctions if there is no winner 30 minutes later.
