Arne Slot Fires Back at Jack Grealish's Explosive Accusation: 'That's Not Our Style'

Liverpool boss Arne Slot strongly dismissed claims from Everton striker Jack Grealish that the Reds resorted to time-wasting tactics during last weekend's Merseyside derby encounter.

Slot's team surged to a commanding 2-0 advantage within the first thirty minutes of Saturday's afternoon fixture, restricting Everton to minimal scoring opportunities. Nevertheless, a grueling sequence of matches decided by late goals over the preceding week eventually took its toll on the defending league titleholders.

As the Dutch manager later acknowledged: "The second period proved more challenging due to Everton naturally, but also because our energy levels began to drop."

Grealish delivered a lofted ball to the far post which Iliman Ndiaye controlled for Idrissa Gueye to fire past Alisson in the 58th minute, reducing the gap and intensifying the anxiety among an increasingly restless Anfield audience.

In their pursuit of a leveling goal, Everton grew frustrated with several officiating decisions. Grealish was especially puzzled by Darren England's choice to caution Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall while also challenging the stoppage time added to both halves.

"The injury time, three minutes and one minute—I've never witnessed that in the Premier League over the past two or three seasons," he complained, maintaining that Liverpool "were clearly attempting to delay the match."

Slot vehemently disagreed. "Much has been discussed regarding the additional time against Everton but I would have welcomed playing 34 seconds longer because we were in a five-versus-two scenario at that point," he responded sharply on Monday.

"This demonstrates, I believe, everything about our approach, constantly seeking to find the net. The three minutes were entirely justified because there were only three instances where substitutions occurred.

"There was no time-wasting because that's not our style and there was no injury treatment, one goal netted. Then you reach three [minutes]. While in numerous other matches when we require a goal, there's extensive, extensive, extensive time-wasting happening, I can assure you."

The stoppage time duration remains at the official's judgment but Grealish has valid grounds to argue that four minutes across two halves represents a minimal amount in today's Premier League. Throughout Liverpool's preceding four matches this campaign, there has been an average of nine and a half minutes added.