Liverpool boss Arne Slot has voiced his strong opinions on the official for the Premier League clash between Liverpool and Sunderland
Michael Plant Liverpool FC Reporter and Chris Burns Senior Sports Writer
19:00, 11 Feb 2026Updated 19:10, 11 Feb 2026
Arne Slot had words with Chris Kavanagh after Liverpool’s draw with Leeds on New Year’s Day(Image: 2026 Getty Images)
Arne Slot’s believes that referee Chris Kavanagh has already made several errors against his side this season as the official gears up to take charge of Liverpool’s clash with Sunderland on Wednesday evening. The Reds’ manager pointed to the number of decisions he believes have gone against Liverpool this season, following Sunday’s defeat to Manchester City.
One incident in particular has frustrated Slot and become a recurring talking point in recent months: Virgil van Dijk’s disallowed header against City in November, which the Reds boss later branded as the “wrong decision” by Kavanagh.
The Liverpool captain rose highest to head in a corner at the Etihad, but it was ruled out due to Andy Robertson’s position, which was judged to be interfering with goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
READ MORE: Liverpool line-up for Sunderland confirmed as defender returns and two changes madeREAD MORE: How to watch Premier League on TV tonight – schedule and kick-off times
City were leading 1-0 at that point, and an equaliser might have altered the trajectory of a match Liverpool ultimately lost 3-0.
“I think it’s obvious and clear that the wrong decision has been made, at least in my opinion, because [Robertson] didn’t interfere at all with what the goalkeeper could do,” Slot said in November, when asked about Van Dijk’s disallowed goal.
Ensure our latest sport headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as Preferred Source in your Google search settings
“Immediately after the game, someone showed me the goal that the same referee allowed City against Wolves last season,” he added, referencing a Bernardo Silva goal in 2024 that was permitted to stand.
“It took the linesman 13 seconds to raise his flag to say it’s offside, so there was clearly communication. That could have influenced the game in a positive way for us because in the first half, we were so poor.”
Andrew Robertson was reportedly obstructing Gianluigi Donnarumma’s view.(Image: AFP or licensors)
Slot was also left frustrated by Kavanagh on another occasion this season, when the referee opted not to award a penalty against Leeds’ Jaka Bijol, after the defender tangled with and fouled Hugo Ekitike at Anfield on New Year’s Day.
“If he had fallen down, it probably would have been a penalty,” Slot said at the time. “But I understand why he doesn’t go down because this season, so many times when we were fouled inside the 18-yard box, we didn’t get a penalty.”
FOLLOW OUR LIVERPOOL FC FACEBOOK PAGE! All the latest news and analysis from Anfield on the Liverpool Echo’s dedicated LFC Facebook page
Kavanagh was also the referee for Liverpool’s losses to Crystal Palace in the Premier League and Community Shield earlier this season, as well as the Reds’ triumph over Arsenal in August. That victory against Arsenal was the only win for Liverpool in the last games that Kavanagh has officiated.
For the latest news and breaking news, visit liverpoolecho.co.uk/all-about/liverpool-fc. Get all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you.
Follow us on Twitter @LivEchoLFC – the official Liverpool ECHO LFC Twitter account – for all the latest LFC news as it happens in real time.
We’re also on Facebook/LiverpoolEchoLFC – your must-see LFC news, features, videos and pictures throughout the day from the Liverpool ECHO.
Listen to our podcasts by searching for ‘Blood Red’ wherever you get your podcasts. Sign up for one of the Liverpool Echo’s free daily and weekly newsletters on Liverpool FC by clicking here.
