Arne Slot said that he does not think that Crystal Palace fans meant to disturb the minute’s silence that took place for the late Diogo Jota at Sunday’s Community Shield.
Referee Chris Kavanagh was forced to end the tribute early at Wembley Stadium with noise disrupting the silence held for Jota and his brother Andre Silva, who both tragically passed away earlier this summer in car accident.
There were a number of shouts that stemmed from the east end of the ground, where the Palace supporters were situated, and that prompted other fans to boo loudly.
Slot told the media after his side’s penalty defeat that he believed the shouts were not intended to disrupt and cause upset.
"I don't think this was planned, or that this was the idea of the fan that made some noise,” the Liverpool manager said.
“Maybe he wasn't aware of the fact that it was the minute of silence. He was just still happy and tried to cheer for his team. I think then the fans of Palace were trying to calm that person or those persons down, so I don't think he had a bad intention, the guy or people that made noise.
"They tried to calm him down, but that was a bit noisy as well. Then our fans reacted, 'Hey, what's happening here?'
"So I don't think there's a bad intention to it, because the fans of Crystal Palace and everywhere around the world have paid huge respect to Diogo and Andre and this was I think unlucky or, I can't find the right words, but I don't think there was a bad intention in it.”
The Dutchman is keen to see how the tributes are received when the Premier League champions make their league comeback at Anfield on Friday, when they host Bournemouth in the new season’s curtain-raiser.
"We will see Friday, when Bournemouth come to our stadium, how respectful that is going to happen,” Slot continued.
"It's also five weeks ago, so that's why maybe this fan who was just so happy for them to be in the Community Shield that he forgot in a second."
The game itself ended in defeat for the Merseysiders, who took the lead twice through two new recruits, Hugo Ekitike and Jeremie Frimpong, but they were pegged back by Jean-Philippe Mateta and Ismaila Sarr before they were pipped on penalties.
