Arne Slot’s language towards referee Michael Oliver has been revealed with the Liverpool boss facing a suspension. Slot was given his marching orders following the full-time whistle as the last-ever Merseyside derby to be held at Goodison Park descended into chaos. After James Tarkowski scored in the 98th-minute to secure a point for Everton on Wednesday night, emotions spilled over on the pitch as a coming together between both sets of players was sparked by a melee involving Curtis Jones and Abdoulaye Doucoure.
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Jones had taken exception to Doucoure celebrating the equaliser in front of the travelling Liverpool fans, with both players then involved in an bust-up that saw them each receive a second yellow card. Slot’s dismissal was rather sudden following an exchange with referee Oliver. However, as per the Liverpool Echo, Jeremy Freeman, an expert lip reader has deciphered what was said. According to the aforementioned lip reader, Slot said "great game" to the official. For Oliver to immediately show a red card, it would appear he interpreted the comment as sarcasm.
"Sure, you give me a red for that?... I will check it out for later…me and you, yeah?" Slot apparently continued before captain Virgil van Dijk stepped in and according to Freeman, seemed to think his manager was sent off for what looked to be an aggressive handshake. Slot’s assistant Sipke Hulshoff was also given his marching orders as chaos reigned during a dramatic conclusion to proceedings at Goodison Park.
“The referee issued second yellow cards and red cards to Curtis Jones and Abdoulaye Doucoure following an altercation after the final whistle,” the Premier League said in a statement. “Arne Slot and his assistant Sipke Hulshoff were also shown straight red cards after the final whistle.”. Slot faces a wait to learn how long a potential touchline ban will be as a statement on the Premier League website on Thursday morning that suggested he had been handed a two-match touchline ban for his language towards Oliver has since been deleted.
