Liverpool manager Arne Slot found himself in hot water after apparently complimenting referee Michael Oliver with a "great game" before receiving his marching orders against Everton before Virgil van Dijk intervened to tell his boss to 'keep away', claims a lip reading expert.
The latest Merseyside derby ended in controversy for Liverpool when an injury-time leveller turned the match on its head. James Tarkowski's last-gasp strike header saw Everton snatch a 2-2 draw at Goodison Park, and subsequent red cards handed to Curtis Jones, boss Slot, and assistant Sipke Hulshoff capped off an infuriating match for the league leaders
Arne Slot was sent off after the full-time whistle sounded
All three dismissals – as well as Everton’s Abdoulaye Doucoure - flared post-match during a scuffle triggered by the Toffees midfielder's provoking celebration directed at the visitors' section.
Jones earned a second booking for his altercation with the Everton star, while the grounds behind Slot’s dismissal were initially unclear. Only after the Dutch coach firmly gripped Oliver's hand did it become somewhat apparent; however, lip reader Jeremy Freeman suggests it was Slot's preceding comment that might have stirred controversy.
As he stepped towards Oliver, Slot reportedly remarked: "Great game," which Oliver may have felt was a sarcastic jibe, leading him to dig into his pocket for a card. A taken aback Slot queried: "Sure, you give me a red for that? I will check it out for later... me and you, yeah?"
Liverpool's Van Dijk stepped in to clarify an issue with manager Slot's intense handshake, mentioning, "Hey, Michael... that was not a pull [of your arm]... Michael... it isn't personal," and wisely suggested his boss to "keep away".
The controversy started after referee Oliver did not award Liverpool a free-kick before Everton netted a dramatic equaliser. Additionally, the VAR team took over three minutes to confirm the Everton goal, examining a marginal offside and a potential infringement involving Liverpool's Ibrahima Konate.
There have been rumblings within Liverpool regarding the legitimacy of Everton's initial goal as well; a foul on Iliman Ndiaye preceding Beto's goal raised eyebrows, where some felt Konate was unfairly penalised. Nevertheless, Liverpool responded when Alexis Mac Allister netted a leveler, and Mo Salah later thought he secured victory with a goal at 73 minutes, only for James Tarkowski to dramatically alter the narrative with his powerful finish.
Following the match, Van Dijk expressed his frustration with Oliver's officiating, suggesting that his decisions had a significant impact on the outcome. "I think the referee had a big part in the game today in terms of certain challenges were given [as] a foul, and similar challenges [weren't]," he told TNT Sports.
"We saw how they celebrated the goal... they wanted to provoke our fans. Curtis didn't think that was the right thing to do... I think the ref didn't have the game under control in my opinion. I said it to him."
However, Everton also felt aggrieved, particularly after being denied a penalty when the ball struck Konate's arm in the box. Additionally, many believed that Liverpool defender Conor Bradley was fortunate to avoid a second yellow card for his challenge on Doucoure in what proved to be one of the most contentious Merseyside derbies in recent memory.
The outcome sees Liverpool now seven points clear of Arsenal at the top of the Premier League table, while Everton has leapfrogged West Ham to claim 15th spot, crucially extending the gap between themselves and the relegation zone to 10 points.
Antony reveals he is uncertain he will stay at Real BetisAntony says joining Real Betis is the "best decision" he has made, but the Brazilian winger is unsure if he will stay beyond the end of this season.Speaking to reporters, the Manchester United loanee said: "I'm very happy here, but it's still too early to decide. I found myself, I needed to find myself, I needed to be happy, and I needed my ...

Harry Kane has been linked with a surprise return to the Premier League in recent weeks.Harry Kane has addressed recent rumors linking him with Liverpool. Despite recent rumours linking him with a sensational move back to the Premier League, Harry Kane appears to have dismissed any possibility of a move this summer. Even though Liverpool are on track to clinch the title, with a 12-point lead over ...

Manchester City are keen on Eintracht Frankfurt's €60 million-rated youngster Hugo Larsson but face competition from Arsenal and Liverpool.City target Frankfurt midfielderLiverpool and Arsenal also interestedBundesliga side demand huge fee for youngsterWHAT HAPPENED?Pep Guardiola's side have opened initial talks for Larsson but have been warned that Eintracht Frankfurt will demand €60m...

Chelsea climbed back into the Premier League’s top four as Enzo Fernandez’s header early in the second half earned a 1-0 derby win over Tottenham at Stamford Bridge.Enzo Maresca’s side were under pressure after limping into the international break playing football that had ceased to excite home fans, but they largely had the better of a disappointing Spurs team that failed to tak...

David Moyes believes James Tarkowski was lucky to avoid a red card for his reckless challenge on Alexis Mac Allister as Everton were beaten 1-0 by Liverpool on a controversial night at Anfield.Diogo Jota’s 57th-minute goal, which Moyes claimed should have been ruled out for offside, gave Liverpool a 100th derby win and moved them a step closer to the Premier League title, but both sides were...

Jack Grealish dedicated his goal to his late brother after scoring in Manchester City’s 2-0 win over relegation-threatened Leicester on Wednesday.The England international hit his first Premier League goal for 16 months, on his first start in the competition since last December, as City moved back into fourth with a comfortable success at the Etihad Stadium.It came on the 25th anniversary of...

David Moyes bemoaned an “offside” goal that gave Liverpool a 1-0 win over Everton – but admitted James Tarkowski was lucky to avoid an early red card on a controversial night at Anfield.Diogo Jota’s 57th-minute goal gave Liverpool a 100th derby win and moved them a step closer to the Premier League title, but both sides were left unhappy with decisions from referee Sam Barr...

Eddie Howe hailed Sandro Tonali’s shooting power after seeing him cap a fine display with a stunning winner to edge Newcastle into the race for Champions League qualification.The 24-year-old Italy international brought an incident-packed encounter to a fitting conclusion with a 74th-minute piledriver which beat goalkeeper Mark Flekken from an improbable angle to hand the Magpies a precious 2...

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery believes Marcus Rashford is “progressively getting better” in all aspects of his game following his first Premier League goal for the club.The on-loan Manchester United forward set Villa on course for a comprehensive 3-0 win over fellow European hopefuls Brighton with a 51st-minute finish at the Amex Stadium.Rashford’s milestone strike came three days ...

Southampton boss Ivan Juric vowed to keep fighting as relegation moved sharply into focus after Crystal Palace denied them only a third Premier League win of the season.Substitute Matheus Franca’s stoppage-time header, to secure a 1-1 draw for the Eagles, means Saints will be down at the weekend if they lose at Tottenham and Wolves beat Ipswich.If relegation is confirmed on Sunday, Southampt...



- 1 Hot WAG flaunts 'astonishing' washboard abs in bikini
- 2 Danny Rohl hails Sheffield Wednesday resilience in draw at Cardiff
- 3 Alfie May double sends Birmingham step closer to Championship
- 4 Marcus Rashford scores first Premier League goal for Villa in win at Brighton
- 5 Ryan Lowe and Conor Hourihane felt team deserved more as Wigan and Barnsley draw
- 6 Mat Sadler hails Taylor Allen set-piece skills after Walsall snatch draw
- 7 Chris Davies says Alfie May’s goal drought never concerned him
- 8 Football fan 'eats' raw pig's head in ultimate insult
- 9 Marcus Rashford still looking to improve after firing Villa into FA Cup semis
- 10 Chelsea prepare €70m for Barcelona defender