Arne Slot breaks down the moment Liverpool expected a decision — and why it never came
Liverpool’s latest Premier League fixture produced a familiar debate — one that wasn’t obvious from the final score alone.
A 0-0 draw with Leeds United at Anfield on New Year’s Day preserved the Reds’ unbeaten run, but the match largely turned on a contentious first-half moment involving Hugo Ekitike that many believe could have altered the outcome.
The French striker appeared to be impeded inside the penalty area but chose to remain on his feet, allowing play to continue without any VAR review.
After the game, Arne Slot spoke openly about the incident, placing it within a broader context rather than focusing solely on the referee’s decision.
Arne Slot explains Ekitike incident and Liverpool’s penalty concerns
When asked whether Liverpool should have been awarded a spot-kick for the challenge on Ekitike, Slot gave a frank response, as quoted by Liverpoolfc.com.
“No, because he stayed on his feet,” the 47-year-old said. “If he had gone down, it probably would have been a penalty.”
Slot went on to suggest that this season’s refereeing trends may be shaping how Liverpool players react inside the box.
“I understand why he doesn’t go down,” he added. “So many times this season we’ve been fouled in the penalty area and not been given a penalty.”
The former Feyenoord boss pointed to multiple incidents where Liverpool were denied penalties, while also referencing what he described as “soft penalties” awarded against his side — including those conceded at Brentford and in the Community Shield versus Crystal Palace.
Slot also revealed that Liverpool have received just one penalty all season, a remarkable statistic for a team that regularly dominates possession and operates heavily in advanced areas.
What the Ekitike moment reveals about Liverpool’s identity
Crucially, Slot stressed that he has no intention of encouraging his players to exaggerate contact to win decisions.
“We are who we are,” he said. “We won the league last season by being that team.”
That philosophy helps explain why Ekitike stayed upright, even if it may have cost Liverpool a pivotal moment in a tightly contested match.
The 23-year-old endured a frustrating afternoon overall, including a missed gilt-edged chance following Jeremie Frimpong’s driven delivery.
Despite that, the wider outlook surrounding Ekitike remains encouraging.
Paul Merson recently warned that Liverpool “cannot afford to lose Ekitike to injury,” underlining his importance to the side, while Clinton Morrison has also praised the forward, branding him “outrageous” for his role in creating Florian Wirtz’s goal against Tottenham.
Against Leeds, Liverpool struggled collectively to find rhythm — but had that first-half challenge been punished, Ekitike’s impact on the result might be viewed in a very different light.