Why is Arne Slot on the touchline for Liverpool vs Wolves today despite Everton red card?
The Liverpool head coach has avoided a touchline ban... for now.
Despite being shown a red card in the Merseyside derby draw with Everton, Arne Slot has avoided a touchline ban for Liverpool’s clash with Wolves.
Liverpool welcome Wolves to Anfield on Sunday as they look to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League.
Arsenal’s late win at Leicester on Saturday has reduced the Reds’ advantage to just four points but they are expected to claim an easy win against a side hovering just above the relegation zone.
However, this game comes just a few days after the dramatic, final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park, where Liverpool were held to a 2-2 draw thanks to James Tarkowski’s 98th minute equaliser.
There were ugly scenes at full-time as Abdoulaye Doucoure and Curtis Jones were sent off by referee Michael Oliver are sparking a mass brawl between the players.
Moments later, Slot and assistant coach Sipke Hulshoff were also shown red cards after shaking hands with Oliver.
The Premier League website initially stated that the head coach had received a two-game touchline ban but that statement was later deleted and Slot will be in the dugout for the Wolves match.
Why is Arne Slot on the touchline for Liverpool vs Wolves today?
While Slot will be on the touchline for Liverpool vs Wolves, he is not in the clear yet and could still receive a ban.
When a member of coaching staff is sent off, the Football Association must review the referee’s report and decide whether or not to charge them for misconduct. On Friday evening, the FA released the following statement:
FA statement on Merseyside derby
‘Everton, Liverpool, Arne Slot and Sipke Hulshoff have been charged following the Premier League fixture between the clubs on Wednesday, 12 February.
‘It is alleged that both clubs failed to ensure their players and/or technical area occupants did not behave in an improper and/or provocative way following the final whistle.
‘The Liverpool manager allegedly acted in an improper manner and/or used insulting and/or abusive words and/or behaviour towards both the match referee and an assistant referee after the match had finished.
‘It is alleged that Liverpool’s assistant manager acted in an improper manner and/or used insulting and/or abusive words and/or behaviour towards a match official, which led to his dismissal.
‘It is further alleged that he acted in an improper manner and/or used insulting and/or abusive words and/or behaviour towards a match official after being sent off. Everton, Liverpool, Arne Slot and Sipke Hulshoff have until next Wednesday, 19 February, to provide their respective responses.’
The FA cannot sanction Slot and co. until they have responded to the charge, meaning the Dutchman is permitted to be on touchline for the visit of Wolves.
Whether he appeals or not, a hearing into the matter may be held which would further delay any punishment, which could come in the form of a fine or touchline ban.
Slot has already had one touchline ban this season – missing the Carabao Cup win over Southampton after picking up three yellow cards in the Premier League – so a two-game ban seems the likely outcome.
Liverpool’s next three matches are big ones: Aston Villa on Wednesday night, Manchester City next Sunday and Newcastle on Wednesday, 26 February.
What has Arne Slot said about his red card?
Slot broke his silence on the sending off during his pre-match press conference on Friday, saying that while he could not get into specifics over the incident, he regretted what happened.
Addressing the matter further in an interview with Sky Sports, the 46-year-old added: ‘I think in general or 99 per cent of the time I can cope with my emotions quite well. But it’s clear that I couldn’t cope with my emotions well enough during the game and especially after the game.
‘If I could do this one more time, of course it’s not smart because I didn’t help anyone with that. But emotions took over after these seven or eight minutes.
‘I don’t think those seven or eight minutes will ever be the same again in terms of all the games I’m going to play as a manager.
‘But, still, if it happens next time, I should act differently – that’s completely clear. If I could do it one more time, I just had to go in and calm down and then maybe talk to the referee afterwards. But it’s easier said than done.’
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
