Arne Slot has stated he is not going to encourage his gamers to go down for penalties after Hugo Ekitike‘s declare was waved away, as a substitute calling on the officers to alter how they view contact.
Liverpool’s lack of a penalty in opposition to Leeds was not the rationale they may not take all three factors within the first recreation of the 12 months, but it surely was an incident that has drawn consideration.
Ekitike was dealt with within the penalty field however opted to remain on his toes and try and get the shot away as a substitute of forcing referee Chris Kavanagh to decide by going to floor.
By attempting to be sincere, the incident was not checked out additional, however Slot is not going to be encouraging his gamers to alter how they method conditions sooner or later.
“I don’t suppose it’s a shock to anybody that certainly one of my gamers stays on his toes in a state of affairs like this,” Slot informed BBC Sport in relation to the incident.
Ought to Hugo Ekitike have gone to floor underneath the problem from Jaka Bijol, slightly than making an attempt to get a shot away? ?
Arne Slot thinks the Liverpool ahead was punished for staying on his toes, when it might have been a penalty. pic.twitter.com/Cvd2iWqyhX
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) January 2, 2026
“I feel it was West Ham away when Lucas Paqueta tried to get a second yellow card, however certainly one of my gamers tried to get him out of the state of affairs, as a result of that’s primarily who we’ve been this season.
“In fact, one or two occasions yow will discover the second we are saying, ‘Ah, they went to the ground when it wasn’t a foul’, but it surely’s simply who we’re.
“Sadly, this isn’t recognised rather a lot, as a result of within the second half, I noticed gamers of them taking place in their very own field so many occasions, and each time the referee rewarded that with a free kick.
“So yeah, the massive query is, ought to we alter? Sure or no?”
Slot: ‘Liverpool gamers shouldn’t change method’
Then pressed on whether or not Liverpool ought to, actually, change how they method incidents like Ekitike’s, Slot added: “I don’t suppose we must always, as a result of that is who we’re.
“However I’m hoping different folks change and see what we do and what different groups do as effectively.
“However okay, it has nothing to do with the top results of immediately, let that be utterly clear. Though if he goes down, it’s in all probability a pink card and a penalty.
“I’m unsure if that’s true, however it will undoubtedly be a penalty, and that will have elevated our possibilities of profitable a recreation in opposition to a crew that got here right here to defend.”
It’s a part of the sport that wants taking a look at, as a participant attempting to be sincere and hold play going doesn’t get the advantage of the doubt over somebody who falls extra simply.
Whereas Slot evidently is not going to encourage his gamers to alter, they maybe should be a little bit extra savvy – and that not solely pertains to the penalty field.
