Arne Slot refuses to criticise referee Andy Madley after Liverpool see three penalty shouts turned down in their 3-3 draw with Newcastle United
Arne Slot refused to bemoan the performance of referee Andy Madley as his Liverpool side were held to a thrilling 3-3 draw with Newcastle United in a game that saw three penalty claims turned down in the second half.
After Alexander Isak’s opener had been cancelled out by Curtis Jones, Mohamed Salah scored two following Anthony Gordon’s effort to send the Reds into stoppage time with a 3-2 lead before Fabian Schar equalised late on.
The Reds turned in a much better second half at St James’ Park but had penalty shouts for Luis Diaz, Salah and a handball claim from Alexis Mac Allister’s shot all waved away by the official, while Isak also saw his own protestations ignored after a Jarell Quansah challenge down the other end.
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After all four shouts for a spot-kick were turned down, Slot refused to lay his side’s inability to win the game at the door of Madley, who handed out seven yellow cards in total and five to the visitors, including Mac Allister, who now misses Saturday’s visit to Everton.
“It was an intense game and all the decisions are made by the players, by me, the other coaching staff and referee, they can have a big impact,” Slot said. “All these small details make an impact so you always try to influence where you can.
“In general I didn’t feel we crossed the line. There were moments in the game where we felt we could have had a free-kick and moments where Newcastle thought they could have one.
“It’s always like this and happens mostly in an intense game where there are so many turnarounds emotions get not only with the fans but also us as well. I don’t think the referee had any influence on the result today.”
Slot added: “There were moments in the game where we thought if we could come away with a draw then that would be a good result, but those moments were mainly in the first half.
“In the second half I thought especially after we scored the 1-1 we were really impressive, created so many good chances, then in the end being one minute before the end being 3-2 up it feels a disappointment of course to drop two points.”
