The aftermath of Liverpool’s dramatic clash with Everton at Goodison Park continues to unfold, with manager Arne Slot finally addressing the chaos that led to his red card.
The heated Merseyside derby, which saw last-minute drama, pitch invasions, and multiple dismissals, ended with a controversial decision that left fans and players stunned.
Liverpool’s Late-Game Heartbreak
Liverpool appeared set to secure a crucial victory, coming from behind to lead 2-1 thanks to goals from Alexis Mac Allister and Mohamed Salah.
However, in the dying moments of stoppage time, Everton’s James Tarkowski smashed in a volley, igniting wild celebrations in what was the final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park.
The goal triggered an outpouring of emotions, with fans storming the pitch and tensions running high on both sides.
Chaos After the Final Whistle
The drama didn’t end there.
Following full-time, Everton’s Abdoulaye Doucoure taunted the Liverpool supporters, prompting Curtis Jones to confront him.
A heated exchange quickly escalated into an all-out brawl, leading to both Jones and Doucoure receiving red cards.
But the controversy didn’t stop with the players—Slot himself, along with his assistant Sipke Hulshoff, was also shown a red card after a tense interaction with referee Michael Oliver.
The Liverpool boss appeared to pull the referee towards him during a handshake, leading to his unexpected dismissal.
Slot Speaks Out on the Incident
After skipping the post-match press conference due to his sending-off, Slot has finally addressed the situation, though he remained cautious in his remarks.
“There’s an ongoing process, and I need to respect that,” he explained.
“What I can say is that the extra time kept stretching—five minutes became eight—which is something we’ve seen happen before.
Emotions got the better of me, and I know I need to handle those moments differently in the future.”
Curtis Jones’ Suspension and Midfield Adjustments
As a result of the red card, Curtis Jones will miss Liverpool’s upcoming fixture against Wolves.
With his absence, the midfield options are slightly limited, but Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch, and Mac Allister are expected to start.
Fortunately for Liverpool, Jones was shown two yellow cards rather than a direct red, meaning he will be available for the following match against Aston Villa.
Slot reflected on Jones’ impact in the derby, stating, “I really liked what he brought to the game when he came on.
It was the best period for us, where we had control.
He stood up for the team, which I appreciate, but there are other ways to do that.
We’ll have a chat about it, just as I have to reflect on my own actions after the game.”
What Was Said Between Slot and the Referee?
Expert lip-reader Jeremy Freeman has since revealed what was actually said between Slot and Michael Oliver.
Following the final whistle, Slot approached the referee and sarcastically remarked, “Great game.”
After shaking hands, Oliver immediately produced a red card, prompting a baffled Slot to respond, “Seriously? You’re giving me a red for that? I’ll check later.”
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk also confronted Oliver, insisting that the incident was not a case of Slot pulling the referee aggressively.
“Hey, Michael, that was not a pull. It’s nothing personal,” Van Dijk reportedly said.
Initially, the Premier League released a statement suggesting Slot would receive a two-match touchline ban for using “offensive, insulting, or abusive language.”
However, Mail Sport later reported that the red card was not solely due to the handshake but also comments Slot made after the game.
The Emotional Toll and VAR Controversy
Slot elaborated on the emotions of the final moments, particularly the lengthy VAR check that added to the frustration.
“A lot happened in extra time,” he admitted.
“The VAR check went on for two minutes—I thought they might review the foul, then I got hopeful that it was offside.
But suddenly, their fans started celebrating, and that was it.”
Despite his frustrations, Slot chose not to dissect every incident publicly.
“It wouldn’t be smart to go into every detail,” he noted.
“But it’s clear emotions ran high, and I regret my reaction.”
What’s Next for Slot and Liverpool?
Liverpool now turns their attention to Wolves, aiming to move past the derby drama and maintain their title challenge.
With Slot potentially facing disciplinary action, the Reds may have to navigate their next fixtures without their head coach on the touchline.
However, with Jones returning midweek and key players stepping up, Liverpool will look to refocus on their Premier League ambitions.
As for Slot, he acknowledges the need for a cooler head in the future but remains firm in his stance that the situation could have been handled differently.
Whether the FA takes further action remains to be seen, but for now, all eyes are on Liverpool’s response in their upcoming matches.