Arne Slot has received support from an unlikely source, as the Liverpool boss awaits his punishment for his sending off after the Merseyside derby against Everton on Wednesday.
The Dutchman was shown a straight red card by referee Michael Oliver in the aftermath of the chaotic 2-2 draw at Goodison Park, with the Reds coach one of four to be dismissed by the official.
Abdoulaye Doucoure and Curtis Jones saw red for sparking the melee that saw both teams clash on the pitch. Then Slot and his assistant Sipke Hulshoff were dismissed for their overzealous protests towards Oliver after confronting him on the pitch.
Slot was unhappy with the decision to allow James Tarkowski’s 98th-minute equaliser, believing Reds defender Ibrahima Konate had been pushed in the build-up to the goal.
And he now faces an anxious wait to see if the Football Association will punish him with a misconduct charge, which could lead to a touchline ban. However, he is expected to be in the dugout for Sunday’s game against Wolves.
But the 46-year-old has found a surprising ally in Everton boss David Moyes, who was in the opposite dugout, after the Scot gave his long-awaited verdict on the events that transpired.
Speaking ahead of their weekend fixture against Crystal Palace, Moyes sympathised with his managerial counterpart and insisted Slot’s actions reflected his passion for Liverpool more than anything else.
“It was an emotional night for everbody and I feel a bit for Arne Slot,” the Scot said. “Because this sort of thing, when I was a younger manager, I was always getting involved in heated things.
“Also, it tells me he cares a little bit about his club and he’s fighting for his players, so everybody has to do what they do. He’s doing that for his team.”
Addressing Doucoure’s part in the brawl and subsequent racist abuse he received on social media, Moyes added: “He’s fine. I said after the game, I was disappointed he got himself sent off.
“He played so well. He did a great job for the team. But it still doesn’t mean people are allowed to abuse you. If that’s the case, then it’s completely wrong.”
It remains to be seen what punishment could be handed down to Slot as the FA attempt to crack down on the perceived poor treatment of top-flight officials.
Only weeks ago, Oliver required police protection having been sent death threats following his controversial decision to send off Myles Lewis-Skelly. And his handling of the Merseyside derby has attracted similar scrutiny from both sides of the city of Liverpool.
Confusion reigned on Monday as the Premier League were forced to retract a statement in which they claimed Slot would serve a two-game touchline ban.
the Football Association will now decide whether the case is a standard or non-standard one. If it’s the latter, a hearing will be needed, meaning the fiasco is unlikely to be resolved ahead of Sunday’s match at Anfield.
