Liverpool boss Arne Slot has been handed a two-match touchline ban following his sending off during the chaotic end to his side’s 2-2 draw with Everton in Wednesday’s Merseyside derby.
The Premier League confirmed the ban on Thursday, stating that Slot was dismissed for using “offensive, insulting, or abusive language” toward referee Michael Oliver.
The incident occurred after Everton’s James Tarkowski scored a dramatic 98th-minute equalizer, sparking wild celebrations at Goodison Park. Slot was furious with the decision to allow the goal, which was checked by VAR for offside but not for a potential foul on Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate.
Arne Slot will miss Liverpool’s next two Premier League matches: a home fixture against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Sunday, February 16, and an away trip to Aston Villa on Wednesday, February 19. This is not the first time Slot has faced disciplinary action this season.
He previously served a one-match touchline ban during Liverpool’s League Cup clash with Southampton after receiving his third yellow card of the campaign in a 2-2 league draw against Fulham.
The Merseyside derby ended in dramatic fashion, with Liverpool assistant coach Sipke Hulshoff also shown a red card for his involvement in the post-match protests. As a result, neither Slot nor Hulshoff was permitted to speak to the media after the game.
The chaos extended to the players as well. Everton’s Abdoulaye Doucoure and Liverpool’s Curtis Jones were both sent off after a post-match altercation. The incident was sparked when Doucoure celebrated Tarkowski’s late goal in front of the away supporters, leading to a heated confrontation between the two teams.
With Arne Slot and Hulshoff banned, assistant coach John Heitinga is expected to take charge from the dugout for Liverpool’s upcoming matches. Slot will still be allowed to conduct team talks before the game and at halftime but must watch the matches from the stands.
