Arne Slot Comments on VAR Decisions in 2025-26 Season

BBC Sport examined key refereeing decisions affecting Liverpool throughout the season.

Slot referenced specific incidents, including a penalty not awarded in a Champions League game where contact appeared incidental rather than a deliberate challenge. He also mentioned a penalty awarded to Leeds United at Elland Road, which involved a VAR intervention after a foul on an opponent.

Slot suggested the decision stayed with the on-field call, but records indicate VAR overturned it to award the spot-kick.

In the Premier League, Liverpool has conceded three VAR-awarded penalties this season, alongside Brighton, which is more than any other team.

VAR Penalty Statistics Liverpool conceded one additional penalty not awarded through VAR, in a match against Manchester City when an opponent was fouled by the goalkeeper.

The team has been awarded only two penalties, neither through VAR, both against Burnley. Aston Villa and Tottenham have received fewer penalties, with none awarded yet. Liverpool has faced six VAR interventions against them in general overturns, with only Fulham experiencing more at nine.

The team has had five negative goal outcomes from VAR: two goals disallowed for Liverpool and three conceded. Fulham has the worst record with seven such outcomes. On net VAR interventions—favorable minus unfavorable—Liverpool has a balance of minus three, second-worst to Everton's minus four.

However, official records show only one recorded VAR error against Liverpool this season. That error was a missed red card for an opponent 13 minutes into the opening Premier League game against Bournemouth.

Controversial Decisions Outside VAR Stats Beyond official VAR statistics, there have been controversial decisions not classified as errors.

For example, in a January match against Arsenal, a penalty claim after a challenge on an opponent was reviewed, with the Premier League's Key Match Incidents Panel voting 3-2 to uphold the no-penalty decision. In an October game at Brentford, a similar 3-2 vote favored no penalty for a challenge on a Liverpool player. Decisions have also favored Liverpool in some cases.

A challenge by a Liverpool player on a Manchester City opponent in February resulted in a 3-2 panel vote for no penalty. Managers of other teams, including Manchester City and Manchester United, have also expressed concerns about refereeing decisions this season. Despite these, Manchester City and Manchester United have favorable VAR records, with only Chelsea performing better.

The statistics indicate Liverpool has faced a higher number of negative VAR outcomes compared to most teams. This context provides background on Slot's comments amid the team's performance in domestic and European competitions.