Arne Slot explains reasons for lashing out at Polish referee

Liverpool boss Arne Slot has explained why he was so angry during the first half of the Reds’ emphatic 4-0 win at home to Galatasaray.

Slot was unusually animated on the touchline, making his feelings clear to stand-in fourth official Szymon Marciniak over a number decisions.

Marciniak had been due to referee the Champions League clash until he suffered an injury and was replaced by Pawel Raczkowski. Poland’s Raczkowski didn’t have much of a great game as Liverpool fans share their frustration multiple times after Galatasaray players stayed down and prompted him to stop the game.

Slot was getting visibly frustrated and his anger hit new heights when Liverpool were denied a penalty in the first half, as Hugo Ekitike went down inside the box.

Arne Slot reacts during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 Second Leg match between Liverpool FC and Galatasaray . (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

The Dutchman was seen jumping up and down and screamed at Marciniak.

Speaking after the game, Slot opened up on why he felt so compelled to express his feelings. “We see it incredibly often that opponents come here to Anfield just to lie on the ground,” the Reds manager explained.

“I also watched the match against Juventus back, and in the first half, the Galatasaray players were on the ground 14 times. That means the game is stopped every three minutes, so there is never any rhythm.

“I felt it was important, not because I was stressed, to show that we couldn’t let this happen. I just wanted to create something. To let everyone know that we need to protect football.

“It’s not nice that football is heading in this direction. So I tried to make that clear in words and gestures, that this is very upsetting for football. That is also why I am glad that we didn’t let ourselves get carried away.”

Despite Galatasaray’s time wasting tactics, Liverpool booked their place in the quarter-finals, where they’ll face Paris Saint-Germain, who knocked them out of the Champions League last season.