Arne Slot believes ‘big decisions’ could have been costly as Liverpool return top of Premier League with Chelsea win

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Liverpool edged out Chelsea with a 2-1 win at Anfield to move back to the top of the Premier League, but Arne Slot was left to reflect on a couple of key controversial decisions from the officials. Tosin Adarabioyo could have been shown a red card following a tangle with Diogo Jota, while a VAR review overturned a decision to award Liverpool another penalty before half-time.

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Arne Slot explained that a couple of "big decisions" could have been costly had Liverpool not beaten Chelsea 2-1 at Anfield.

Mohamed Salah’s penalty and a Curtis Jones strike - which came either side of Nicolas Jackson’s equaliser – were ultimately enough to send Slot’s side back to the Premier League summit.

However, the nature of this result ensured two big calls went under the radar, as the VAR overturned a decision to award a second spot-kick after Jones was brought down by Robert Sanchez in the box.

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Meanwhile, Tosin Adarabioyo avoided a red card from bringing down Diogo Jota in an incident-packed first half.

“It's not important anymore because we won, but it could've been a crucial decision when the VAR overturned the referee's decision on the pitch, which I couldn't understand,” Slot told Sky Sports.

“I think if the referee looks at it for a minute, it already shows that the VAR shouldn't have interfered. Even in my opinion, if you look at it on the screen you still feel it's a penalty, but that's me.

“Then there's the decision of the red card which I saw yesterday [William Saliba sent off for Arsenal against Bournemouth], was a red card in a similar situation.

“They’re big decisions, because penalties and red cards influence a game a lot, but it's also nice that these moments are inside the game because it creates a lot of energy.

“The fans really stood up today, they helped us a lot and that probably comes from these decisions as well because they're just as biased as I am!”

Meanwhile, Chelsea suffered more woe against Liverpool with a 10th consecutive winless game against The Reds.

'We controlled most of the game' - Maresca

Despite that sobering statistic, head coach Enzo Maresca was delighted with his team’s endeavour on Merseyside.

“We don't like to lose or drop points, but I really liked the performance. We deserved something more but the performance was good,” he added.

“We controlled most of the game. We had chances, we had possession. We don't like to lose, but if we have to choose this is the way. The team was brave on and off the ball.

“I don't think this game defines where we are. We prepared in the best way, it worked quite well. You have to take chances, but overall I am very happy with the players.“

In contrast to Slot, the Italian did not enter the debate surrounding the questionable calls from the officials.

“I didn't see anything in terms of decisions from the referee. The only thing I heard was the noise of the crowd.

“The only thing I can say is the referee is there to make decisions. Sometimes they are right, sometimes they are wrong. Sometimes it is because of the noise [of the crowd], but overall, I think they did okay.“

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