Slot goals cheeky dig at Man Metropolis over 115 fees

Liverpool boss Arne Slot joked that Manchester City won’t be within the Premier League subsequent season amid the continued investigation into the membership’s compliance with monetary guidelines.

The Premier League charged Metropolis on 115 counts of breaches of economic rules in February 2023 after opening an investigation 5 years earlier.

Slot’s feedback got here in response to a query about Mohamed Salah‘s Liverpool future after the Egypt worldwide stated Sunday’s 2-0 win over Metropolis could be the last time he faces Pep Guardiola’s aspect at Anfield because the uncertainty over his future on the membership continues.

“Perhaps Mo is aware of extra in regards to the 115 acquisitions [charges] so expects them to not be there within the Premier League subsequent season,” Slot quipped in a information convention on Tuesday forward of Liverpool’s journey to Newcastle United.

“The boring reply is at all times the identical. This isn’t the place for me to speak about Mo’s contract. It was a joke. I repeat, it was a joke.”

Metropolis strongly deny the entire fees in opposition to them and claimed in a press release that they’ve “irrefutable proof” to assist their place and “sit up for this matter being put to relaxation as soon as and for all.”

The fees relate to a 14-season interval going again to 2009-10 and comprise 54 counts of failing to supply correct data, 14 counts of failing to supply correct particulars for participant and supervisor funds, seven counts of breaching the Premier League’s revenue and sustainability guidelines, 5 counts of failing to adjust to UEFA rules, together with monetary truthful play, and 35 counts of failing to cooperate with Premier League investigations from 2018 onward.

Liverpool’s victory over Metropolis on Sunday noticed Slot’s aspect transfer 11 factors away from the champions and 9 factors clear on the prime of the Premier League desk. Nevertheless, the Dutchman has performed down speak of his aspect being title favourites, insisting there’s a lengthy option to go till the top of the season.

“It is not that particular for us to be on prime of the Premier League or the Champions League,” he stated.

“This membership, this crew, these gamers are was prime of the league and competing for each trophy. They’ve skilled this. In addition they know it is a lengthy season and to win the league in opposition to the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal and Metropolis — as a result of I see these three as our primary rivals — that you must be on prime of our sport for 10 months.

“We have seen the standard of the three already and know we’ve to remain on prime of our sport. We now face Newcastle who beat Arsenal and Chelsea at dwelling, and drew with Metropolis. They do not want me to inform them how robust a sport will probably be.”