By Jack Burgess
Liverpool manager Arne Slot could still be in the dugout against Wolves on Sunday despite being shown a red card in the final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park on Wednesday night.
Mo Salah thought he had scored the winner for the Reds, only for James Tarkowski to make it 2-2 with a 98th-minute equaliser for the Blues and send Goodison Park into raptures.
The 46-year-old, taking charge of Liverpool for his first Merseyside derby, was feeling particularly aggrieved after a foul on Ibrahima Konate in the build-up to Tarkowski’s late strike.
Chaos at full-time
Amidst the chaos at the full-time whistle, Slot was also shown a red card after sternly making this point to referee Michael Oliver.
As a result, it was assumed the Dutchman, who usually personifies calmness on the touchline, would be suspended for the game against Wolves at the weekend.
However, the ramifications of Slot’s actions remain unclear after some confusing actions by the Premier League’s official website.
Initially, the Premier League stated: “Liverpool head coach Arne Slot was dismissed at the end of the Merseyside derby for using offensive, insulting, or abusive language. He is handed a two-match touchline ban as a result”, before deleting the post moments later.
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Not clear cut
It now appears the punishment coming Slot’s way is not as clear cut.
The Athletic’s James Pearce soon clarified matters, and posted on X: “It was a mistake by the Premier League.
“The FA have yet to review the referee’s report and decide what action to take. They have three working days to decide whether to charge Slot. As things stand, he’s not banned from [the] touchline for Sunday.”
Slot’s assistant, Sipke Hulshoff, was also sent off amidst the carnage, meaning the Reds still face the prospect of having the Dutchman’s second assistant Johnny Heitinga taking charge over the coming matches.
Managerial experience
The former Evertonian does have experience in the manager’s seat. Back in his native Holland, Heitinga took interim charge of Ajax in 2023 after a spell at their B team.
Whilst Slot’s punishment remains unclear, his presence on Sunday would be a boost, given the importance of his self-professed communication skills to organise the Reds.
Those communication skills were not on show with Oliver it seems.
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