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Arne Slot picked up one-game ban during Liverpool's draw with Fulham

Arne Slot
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)


Arne Slot will serve a one-match touchline ban after picking up his third booking of the season during Saturday's 2-2 draw with Fulham.

The Liverpool manager had already been walking a tightrope following two yellow cards against Chelsea and Arsenal in October, meaning just one more caution would force him to watch from the stands in the following game.

As it happened, the Dutchman was shown a yellow card by referee Tony Harrington during today's stalemate at Anfield, having reacted with frustration to Curtis Jones being booked for a second-half challenge on Alex Iwobi.

Unlike for players, however, managers do not have to serve their suspension in the competition in which it was awarded. This means that rather than watching from the stands for Liverpool's next Premier League clash away to Tottenham next Sunday, Slot can serve his one-match ban against Southampton in the Carabao Cup in midweek.

While Wednesday's quarter-final tie down on the south coast is a big occasion in itself, Reds fans, along with Slot, would much prefer him to miss this game rather than next weekend's crunch clash in the capital away to Spurs.

Even without their manager on the sidelines, Liverpool's players should have more than enough to dispatch Southampton in midweek, with their Premier League rivals currently rooted to the foot of the table having achieved just one victory all season.

Arne Slot
Arne Slot was handed his third booking of the season and will now serve a one-match ban

The Reds also secured a 3-2 win over the Saints in their top flight encounter last month, with Mohamed Salah striking twice in the second-half to secure a memorable comeback victory over their hosts, meaning they can take confidence from having already beaten their opponents this season.

In Slot's absence, assistant manager Sipke Hulshoff will be expected to take charge, with former Everton defender John Heitinga also set to be on hand after being brought in as part of his countryman's backroom overhaul during the summer.

With Slot set to be present at the game despite his suspension, the Dutchman is expected to communicate via phone to the dugout, ensuring he still has a major say on what goes on throughout the 90 minutes against Southampton in Liverpool's next match.