The final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park between Everton and Liverpool was nothing short of dramatic. The 2-2 draw featured four goals—including a stunning 98th-minute volley from James Tarkowski that sent the Gwladys Street End into chaos—along with a heated post-match brawl that resulted in four red cards.
One of the main talking points afterward was Liverpool manager Arne Slot’s dismissal following his confrontation with referee Michael Oliver. While his actions initially appeared minor, newly released footage offers a clearer view of the incident.
Slot was one of four individuals sent off after the match, alongside assistant manager Sipke Hulshoff, Curtis Jones, and Abdoulaye Doucoure. Hulshoff’s red card stemmed from his protests over Tarkowski’s goal, which had undergone a lengthy VAR review. Doucoure was dismissed for provoking Liverpool fans after the final whistle, while Jones received a second yellow card for his involvement in the altercation.
Why Arne Slot Was Sent Off
The Dutchman angrily confronted the referees after full-time
TNT Sports footage initially captured only the latter part of Slot’s heated exchange with Oliver, where he shook the referee’s hand aggressively—an action that seemingly led to his red card. However, a newly released angle provides a fuller view of the confrontation.
While the exact words exchanged remain unclear, reports from The Daily Mail and Goal suggest that Slot’s sarcastic and aggressive handshake played a key role in his suspension. As a result, both Slot and Hulshoff will be absent when Liverpool face Wolves at Anfield on Sunday.
In their absence, assistant first-team coach John Heitinga—who previously made 140 appearances for Everton—is expected to take charge. Liverpool currently lead Arsenal by seven points in the Premier League with 14 games left, but Wednesday night’s fiery showdown at Goodison Park has reignited the title race.
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