Liverpool have been forced to cancel Arne Slot’s post-match press conference following their 2-2 draw with Everton at Goodison Park.
The Dutchman was one of four to be shown a red card after the final whistle by referee Michael Oliver as the chaos descended in the Merseyside derby.
Curtis Jones and Abdoulaye Doucoure became embroiled in an altercation on the touchline, with players from both benches rushing over to break up the melee.
Jones and Doucoure were both sent off for second yellow cards and will face one-match suspensions respectively.
But Slot could find himself in hot water after the 46-year-old appeared to shake Oliver’s arm in an aggressive manner when confronting him on the pitch, which prompted the official to brandish the red card.
Slot was incensed that a foul was not awarded to Ibrahima Konate seconds before Everton’s late equaliser and made his fury clear to the fourth official before his conversation with Oliver.
His assistant Sipke Hulshoff also saw red for his protests as ugly scenes unfolded in the final derby to take place at Goodison Park.
There was silence from Slot and the Liverpool coaching staff after the game, leaving many wondering if their press conference would go ahead.
However, neither Slot nor Hulshoff were able to speak due to a new rule implemented by the Premier League this season, which prohibits managers from speaking to the media after being sent off.
Premier League rules dictate that a manager who is sent off during a match will be prohibited from doing post-match media interviews as part of the disciplinary action they face.
They are not allowed to communicate with players or officials, and are required to leave the technical area when they are dismissed. This includes speaking to the media immediately after the game.
TNT Sports, who showed the game on UK television, confirmed that Slot would not be able to fulfil his media commitments as a result of his red card.
The incident marred what had been a dramatic end to the game as James Tarkowski scored in the 97th minute to earn the hosts a draw.
Beto had put Everton in front before Alexis Mac Allister and Mohamed Salah put the leaders on course to win. But Tarkowski’s stunning leveller sent the home fans into pandemonium. Reds captain Virgil van Dijk was critical of Doucoure’s celebration in front of the fans, claiming the Senegalese midfielder provoked their fans.
“We saw how they celebrated the goal, they have all the right to,” Van Dijk to TNT Sports. “I think Abdoulaye Doucoure wanted to provoke our fans, I think that is what I saw and Curtis Jones didn’t think it was the right thing to do. And then you know what happens if there is a little tussle.
“I didn’t think the referee had the game under control. Both teams had to deal with it.”
