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Arne Slot given straight red after Michael Oliver chat leaving Liverpool boss baffled

Arne Slot was shown a straight red card after Liverpool's 2-2 draw
-Credit:USA Today


Liverpool head coach Arne Slot was shown a straight red card after a hostile interaction with referee Michael Oliver moments after Everton fought back to draw 2-2 at Goodison Park.

James Tarkowski's stunning volley in the 98th minute handed Everton a precious point against Liverpool in the final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park, but it was a controversial equalizer. After VAR cleared an offside check, Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate appeared to be shoved in the penalty area.

The game had also entered borrowed time, as the five allotted minutes added on were impacted after Everton duo Carlos Alcaraz and Jarrod Branthwaite clashed heads. Slot was furious after Liverpool dropped two points, and said something to Oliver when approaching the referee after the game.

READ MORE: Why Arne Slot was prevented from speaking to media after Liverpool chaos at Everton

READ MORE: What sparked Curtis Jones and Abdoulaye Doucoure brawl at full-time after Everton 2-2 Liverpool

Slot will now face a touchline ban for Liverpool's upcoming game at home to Wolves on Sunday, Feb. 16. It's unknown what was said by the Liverpool coach, but the severity of the ban could increase depending on the seriousness of the offense and if the Football Association wish to seek further disciplinary action.

Phil Jagielka, a former Everton defender, understood Slot's frustrations and said on TNT Sports: "You can see why Arne Slot was furious. There was a slight little nudge in the box and if that was my team I would be appealing.

"I would be getting sent off after the game too. Slot always talks about staying composed but it seems like he lost a bit of his composure at the end there. That's what a derby does to you."

Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones was also sent off after the game along with Everton midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure, with both players receiving a second yellow card for their heated clash after the final whistle. Doucoure went over to the Liverpool supporters and Jones rushed over to retaliate, which sparked a postgame brawl.

Slot and Oliver shared a fiery handshake before the Liverpool coach was sent off
Slot and Oliver shared a fiery handshake before the Liverpool coach was sent off -Credit:2025 Getty Images

It was following the melee that Slot was able to find Oliver, and the Liverpool coach was also given his marching orders. It was a memorable final derby at Goodison, and while the game ended as a draw, it will feel like a loss for Liverpool and a huge result for Everton.

Everton took an early lead through Beto before Alexis Mac Allister fired Liverpool level inside 16 minutes. The fast start trailed off and the game turned physical, with five yellow cards being shown in the first half.

The second half was cagey, but when Mohamed Salah put Liverpool 2-1 ahead after 73 minutes it seemed as through the Reds had done enough to take all three points. With seconds remaining, and Liverpool on the verge of a nine-point advantage at the top of the Premier League table, Tarkowski fired a brutal blow and chaos followed.

Liverpool are now seven points clear of Arsenal in second, but face a tough schedule with games against Wolves, Aston Villa, Newcastle, and Manchester City taking place this month. Liverpool will next face Everton on April 2 at Anfield.