After Liverpool’s 2-1 victory over Chelsea in the Premier League, Arne Slot and Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca disagreed about the impact of the Anfield crowd on referee decisions. When both teams’ fans leave feeling dissatisfied with officiating, it’s usually a concerning sign.
Despite Liverpool’s win and some questionable calls, emotions ran high, leading to Slot receiving his first yellow card. After the match, both managers felt that referee John Brooks was influenced by the lively atmosphere at Anfield, though they had differing views on its implications.
Maresca commented to Sky Sports that he didn’t notice any specific poor decisions but acknowledged that the crowd’s noise might affect referees: “The referee is there to make decisions. Sometimes they are right, sometimes wrong, and sometimes influenced by the crowd’s noise. Overall, I think they did OK.”
This implies he believed Liverpool’s fans had an effect on the referee’s choices. Conversely, Slot argued that referees, aware of potential criticism, might unconsciously raise the threshold for decisions favoring Liverpool.
He noted, “At my former club, they said referees are impressed by the crowd, which leads to favorable calls. But today showed that despite the loud fans, the referee wanted to demonstrate his ability not to give certain decisions.”
Bias or Substantiated?
While there may be some bias towards Liverpool, there is evidence supporting Slot’s claim that referees tend to make decisions against the Reds at Anfield. For instance, during the 2022/23 season, Liverpool waited until April for their first Premier League penalty at home, despite having more touches in the box than any team in history without earning one, according to Opta’s records.
A notable example of this bias occurred late in the recent match, when Darwin Nunez was penalized for a shoulder-to-shoulder challenge with Renato Veiga after winning the ball. Both Slot and Nunez reacted emotionally, although they were cautious due to being on yellow cards.
Slot remarked, “It didn’t happen what people always think, that Anfield gives you easy penalties at least. Is that true or not?” To which press officer Tony Barrett responded, “Definitely not.”
Slot further criticized the inconsistency in added time, pointing out that during their previous loss to Nottingham Forest, significant time delays led to only six minutes of stoppage, despite the circumstances.
Interestingly, Slot suggested that some decisions going against Liverpool may have ultimately benefited the team. He noted that the crowd’s support during challenging moments—like a crucial block tackle or a sprint back—served as a mental boost for the players, emphasizing their importance in fostering team spirit.
