Liverpool head coach Arne Slot said he understood why his side were booed at full-time, after they laboured to a 1-1 draw with out-of-form Chelsea at Anfield.
Slot’s men made a bright start and took the lead through a fabulous curling effort from Ryan Gravenberch, but they faded as the half went on and conceded an equaliser from an Enzo Fernandez free-kick, which evaded everyone in the penalty area.
After having a goal from Curtis Jones disallowed, along with Dominic Szoboszlai and Virgil Van Dijk striking the woodwork, Liverpool were unable to find a winner and missed a chance to all but confirm Champions League qualification.
Anfield had been restless throughout the match and Liverpool were roundly booed at full-time, though Slot felt his team were unfortunate not to win.
When asked about the boos, he told TNT Sports: "That's probably got something to do with us not winning.
"It completely makes sense people are disappointed if Liverpool don't win.
"We started off really well and got a big chance from a set-piece which was close to making it 2-0.
"Unfortunately, like last week, we conceded a set-piece. It was such a sloppy goal. The second half, I saw a completely different intensity. We went close a few times.”
It ends level. pic.twitter.com/nCFs4Npbc9
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) May 9, 2026
Slot was also criticised by sections of the home crowd for subbing off Rio Ngumoha midway through the second half, but he said that decision was due to the teenager sustaining a slight muscle injury, which he did not want to risk any further.
The teenager made the most ball recoveries and completed the most take-ons of anyone on the pitch, as he faced his former academy club for the first time.
He said: "He [Ngumoha] was having problems with his muscles and when I asked him, he said he was not sure that he could continue.
“I knew this would be the reaction because he is such a good player. So often in football, people don't know everything.
“I am the manager and I need to make decisions. Knowing why makes it make more sense for people."
Liverpool have dropped nine points from winning positions in Premier League home games this season, their most at Anfield in a single campaign since 2015-16, while their expected goals (xG) figure of 0.51 was their lowest in a league match at home since March 2021.