Liverpool boss frustrated by 'clear wrong decision' in defeat to Man City

Liverpool centre-back Virgil van Dijk refused to use his side's disallowed goal as an excuse in the heavy defeat. 

Liverpool manager Arne Slot said Andy Robertson "didn't interfere with the goalkeeper" as his side were denied an equaliser against Manchester City. Pic: Nick Potts/PA Wire.

ARNE Slot refused to write off Liverpool's hopes despite his side making the worst start to a Premier League title defence for nine years.

A tepid display lacking intensity and desire leaves the champions down in eighth, already eight points adrift of leaders Arsenal after a seventh defeat in the last 10 games following a chastening loss to Manchester City.

Liverpool's five defeats in 11 games is more than in the entirety of last season, and matches the unwanted opening to the campaign made by Leicester City in 2016.

Slot wouldn't be drawn on the Reds' title hopes, and he said: "Last season when we were eight points clear it never felt like it was done. I don't think at this moment as Liverpool manager we should talk about the number one position. We should focus on our own performance and that needs to be better."

Despite his skipper Virgil van Dijk's refusal to use his disallowed first-half goal as an excuse for the latest loss, Slot begged to differ. The defender's header from a corner was ruled out for offside against Andy Robertson to deny the visitors an equaliser and the Liverpool head coach said: "It's obvious and clear wrong decision has been made because Robertson didn't interfere with the goalkeeper.

"The same referee allowed a goal like that between City and Wolves last season, and today it took the linesman 13 seconds to raise his flag to say it was offside.

"The goal could have affected the game in a positive way for us, but that's not to say we would then have had a result because City were by far the better team in the first half and they dominated us.

"In the second half I saw a much better performance from us but we need to improve and I didn't need this game to know that."

Van Dijk took a different line, and the Dutchman insisted: "The officials are making the key decisions and we have to deal with it on the pitch.

"There's no point discussing this from my point of view. The reality is that we lost 3-0 and that is a big blow. I just focus on the fact we lost. You guys can debate if it should have stood. It doesn't matter what I say about the goal.

"It's now about finding consistency and carrying on. We go to our countries, stay fit and get ready for a big run after we come back. We are not going to give up whatsoever. We are in November and we are ready for a long season and a big fight."

After a seventh consecutive home win to mark Pep Guardiola's 1000-game management milestone, City defender Ruben Dias said: "We live for games like this and we're very happy for the gaffer, it's a great achievement. It's still early in the season and we will keep our feet on the ground and keep pushing."