Arne Slot says 'that isn't fair' as Thierry Henry questions Liverpool player over mistake against Newcastle

Liverpool manager Arne Slot clarified an incident involving Virgil van Dijk after Thierry Henry questioned him following his side's 3-2 win over Newcastle at St James' Park.

Rio Ngumoha, 16, scored a 100th-minute winner for the Reds after Newcastle had come from 2-0 down to equalise.

The Magpies played the entirety of the second half with 10 players after Anthony Gordon was sent off for a high challenge on captain Van Dijk.

But Eddie Howe's side fought on and second-half goals from Bruno Guimaraes and substitute William Osula got them briefly back on level terms during a game in which they were the better side.

It was hardly a vintage Liverpool performance, but they managed to get across the line and make it six points out of six at the start of the new Premier League season.

Slot appeared on Monday Night Football post-match to analyse the game, and was challenged by Henry surrounding the Liverpool back line's positioning for the free kick that resulted in Newcastle's equaliser.

What a moment for William Osula! 💥

Newcastle equalise despite being down to 10! pic.twitter.com/cTqhtPPXlY

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 25, 2025

Henry asked: "Jamie and I spotted something on the free kick. A lot of the free kicks, the line you were having, you had it very low.

"On the goal, Van Dijk decided to go really high. What was the thought process on that? You got punished, it's easy now, you got punished, it's easy for us to bring it up. But you did it the whole game, you played low to attack the ball, but that one you went high?"

Slot replied: "I don't think it's fair to blame Virgil - it's a combination. He has contact with us on the bench. All the other ones are further up the pitch.

"We know what their idea is, to bring the ball to the 'D', Dan Burn is there attacking the ball, trying to make it difficult. There were a lot of difficult situations for us coming from that, so either the second ball or a throw-in, or another corner kick.

"At the moment in time we decided that, because the ball was so deep, that it was smarter not to get a second ball inside our 18-yard box again. But that was definitely the wrong decision in that moment, looking back at it."