Why Liverpool boss Arne Slot isn't on the touchline for Southampton clash
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Arne Slot will be missing from the touchline for Liverpool's Carabao Cup quarter-final against Southampton on Wednesday. The Reds travel to the Saints, just a few days after the hosts sacked manager Russell Martin. Slot has enjoyed a stellar first season in charge of Liverpool, leading them to the top of the Premier League and Champions League tables.
Wins over West Ham and Brighton have also sent Slot's men into the final eight of the Carabao Cup. They are the defending champions, having won the competition under Jurgen Klopp last season. On paper, it should be a simple task to reach the final four, with Southampton rock bottom of the top-flight. But they will have to beat the Saints without their manager on the touchline.
That is because Slot will serve a one-game touchline ban on Wednesday night. The Dutchman was booked during the thrilling draw with Fulham on Saturday after an outburst at referee Tony Harrington. Harrington had booked Curtis Jones for a tackle in the 57th minute, with Slot left furious at that decision. In response, the referee also showed a yellow card to the Liverpool boss.
It was Slot's third booking of the season, following yellow cards against Chelsea and Arsenal earlier this season. That number of yellow cards incurs an automatic one-match touchline ban for domestic games due to FA laws. Liverpool's next domestic game obviously comes on Wednesday against Southampton. And Slot has admitted he fully deserves to be sitting in the stands at St Mary's Stadium.
“You always reflect, but I think in general I’m calm,” he said. “But there is also a limit for me, let’s put it that way, and then I can get emotional and unfortunately that limit is only reached by refereeing decisions or the decisions my players make.
