Slot on Robertson’s Red Card: “Nothing to blame on him” | OneFootball

Resilience and Drama: Arne Slot’s Liverpool Share Points with Fulham

Arne Slot expressed pride in Liverpool’s determination and resilience during their dramatic 2-2 draw with Fulham at Anfield on Saturday. Despite being reduced to 10 men after Andy Robertson’s first-half red card, the Reds battled back twice to claim a point, thanks to an 86th-minute equaliser from the returning Diogo Jota.

The Premier League leaders endured a tough start, conceding an early goal to Andreas Pereira before Cody Gakpo equalised shortly after half-time. A chaotic game saw Rodrigo Muniz restore Fulham’s lead, only for Jota to level the score in the dying minutes. Slot’s post-match press conference provided insight into his thoughts on the performance, Robertson’s red card, and the impact of key players.

Slot on the Balance Between Performance and Result

Reflecting on the game, Slot acknowledged the mixed emotions of securing a point under challenging circumstances while lamenting the result against a mid-table side.

“I think it is exactly the opposite from the Girona game, where I was pleased with the result but not with the performance,” he explained. “Now I am very, very, very happy about the performance [today]. I couldn’t have asked for more, but of course not with the result because if you drop points in a home game with Fulham, that is not what you expect or want.”

Slot highlighted the pivotal character of both the team and the Anfield crowd. “Being two times a goal down, so many things go against you except for one thing, and that is our players and our fans, who were outstanding today,” he said.

Photo: IMAGO

Andy Robertson’s Red Card: An Unfortunate Turn of Events

Slot addressed the circumstances leading to Robertson’s sending-off, noting the defender’s resilience in playing through an earlier injury. Robertson took a heavy knock to the knee shortly before committing the foul, resulting in his dismissal.

“What the team showed today, the character they showed, that’s also what Robbo showed,” Slot remarked. “Sometimes if you get a kick like this, two studs on a knee, that can hurt for a few minutes. Then, if you just keep on running, it gets better and better.”

While understanding Robertson’s determination to continue, Slot admitted the foul and subsequent red card was deserved. “Nothing to blame on him – [it was] character that he wanted to continue because he got quite a hard knock on his knee with two studs,” he added.

Ryan Gravenberch: A Standout Performer

Slot heaped praise on Ryan Gravenberch, whose versatility and composure under pressure stood out in the match. The midfielder seamlessly balanced defensive duties with creative contributions, even as Liverpool played with 10 men.

“Impressed, like everyone who was in the stadium or saw the game. Ryan did outstanding again today,” Slot said. “Without the ball, he was mostly in our last line, had to play sometimes against a nine, against really fast wingers. And with the ball, he came into the midfield. An outstanding performance from him.”

Photo: IMAGO

Slot was keen to share the credit among the entire squad, praising their collective dominance despite the numerical disadvantage. “Dominated the game, more ball possession with 10 men, more chances created – everything you want,” he said. “Unfortunately for us, maybe the only chance they got with [us having] 10 men led to a goal – that sometimes happens as well.”

Adapting to 10 Men: Slot’s Tactical Approach

Slot admitted that planning for a scenario like playing with 10 men is difficult, as the approach depends on which player is sent off and the game’s state. Liverpool’s response evolved throughout the match, including a tactical tweak that involved Cody Gakpo briefly operating as a makeshift left-back.

“First you take a look at the tactic board and you think, ‘This might be a good option.’ That’s what we did for five minutes,” Slot explained. “But then looking at it, it looked better on a tactic board than on the pitch with Cody being a left-back!”

A key moment in the game came after Gakpo’s equaliser, which briefly gave Liverpool momentum. However, frequent interruptions hindered their rhythm. “We had great momentum – [but] the game was again delayed for three, four or five minutes immediately after we scored the goal because they were on the ground,” Slot said, expressing frustration with Fulham’s tactics. “Everybody is saying, ‘Yeah, you’ve played quite a lot of time.’ That’s true, but the momentum is then like this every time there’s a treatment for an injury.”

Photo: IMAGO

The Impact of Substitutes

Liverpool’s substitutes played a crucial role in rescuing the result. Jota’s clinical finish, combined with Darwin Núñez’s creative work, epitomised the value of having attacking options back from injury.

“First of all, we are delighted to have some players back because we’ve had our injuries,” Slot said. “The good thing is that nobody spoke about it because that means you get results. But to have them available at this moment was helpful.”

Slot credited not only Jota and Núñez but also Harvey Elliott for their contributions. “We just thought [to] bring all the players in that can score a goal. And then to see them working so hard without the ball… to keep the other team away from goal and still create chances was great to see.”

While Liverpool will rue the dropped points against Fulham, the match showcased their resilience and the tactical nous of Arne Slot. Facing adversity, the Reds displayed character and quality, leaving fans with hope for the challenges ahead. With standout performances from the likes of Ryan Gravenberch and a crucial impact from substitutes, Liverpool’s determination shines brightly as they continue their Premier League campaign.