Arne Slot cannot believe it as footage emerges of Salah controversy in Liverpool v Newcastle
Arne Slot watched on from the stands as Liverpool earned a 2-0 victory over Newcastle at Anfield to edge another step closer to clinching the Premier League title.
It emerged hours before kick-off on 26 February that Slot will serve a two-game touchline ban after being sent off following the final whistle of the 2-2 draw with Everton on 12 February.
With assistant Sipke Hulshoff also suspended, John Heitinga was left in charge of the Liverpool team for their game against Newcastle, but any concerns were put to bed by Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister in either half.
Slot, meanwhile, was present in the stands and went through different emotions as the Reds eventually claimed what was a routine win in their march towards the title.
Mohamed Salah and Lewis Hall footage baffles Slot
While the Dutch tactician was all smiles as the game drew to a close, he could not believe his eyes after a controversy involving Mohamed Salah emerged in the early stages of the game.
Salah thought he should have had a penalty after Lewis Hall brought him down in the Newcastle box, although the referee awarded a free-kick in the visitors’ favour.
Slot, who had access to a monitor beside him, quickly reviewed the footage of the incident and was evidently a frustrated figure, raising his eyebrows in bewilderment.
Meanwhile, speaking from the Sky Sports studio, Mike Dean justified the decision, insisting that there was a slight push from Salah on Hall’s back before he was brought down.
This challenge was given as a free-kick to Lewis Hall 👀
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 26, 2025
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/31r6wueN6S
Liverpool on course for Premier League glory
Liverpool were not upset for too long as Szoboszlai gave them the lead minutes later, with Mac Allister then doubling the lead in the second half.
With Arsenal being held to a 0-0 draw by Nottingham Forest, the Reds have now moved 13 points clear at the top of the Premier League table.
| Team | Matches | W | D | L | GD | Points |
| 1. Liverpool | 28 | 20 | 7 | 1 | 40 | 67 |
| 2. Arsenal | 27 | 15 | 9 | 3 | 28 | 54 |
| 3. Nottingham Forest | 27 | 14 | 6 | 7 | 11 | 48 |
| 4. Manchester City | 27 | 14 | 5 | 8 | 16 | 47 |
As for Salah, he added another assist to his name, although he would have liked the opportunity to get on the scoresheet through a penalty.
The Egypt international now has 17 assists in the league this season, putting him on course to beat Thierry Henry and Kevin de Bruyne’s record for the most amount of assists in a Premier League season.