Liverpool set to be managed by ex-Everton hero after Arne Slot’s derby red card

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot was one of FOUR people shown a red card by referee Michael Oliver following a dramatic Merseyside derby away at Everton on Wednesday

Former Everton defender John Heitinga could take charge of Liverpool at the weekend after Arne Slot and his assistant, Sipke Hulshoff, were sent off on Wednesday night.

Slot was shown a red card after confronting referee Michael Oliver in the aftermath of Everton’s dramatic late equaliser against the Reds, who played out an entertaining 2-2 draw in the Merseyside derby.

Abdoulaye Doucoure and Curtis Jones also saw red after the former sparked a brawl by celebrating in front of the travelling Liverpool fans post-match.

And the red cards shown by Oliver will have repercussions for Liverpool at the weekend, with Slot and Hulshoff likely to be banned for Sunday’s match with Wolves.

That means Heitinga, who made 140 appearances for Everton and moved to Anfield in the summer to join Slot’s coaching team, could lead the Reds at the weekend, as outlined by The Mail.

Slot’s red card meant that the Liverpool chief was also unable to fulfil his post-match press duties or shed any light on the conversation he had with Oliver prior to his dismissal.

Speaking on TNT Sports, former Everton defender Phil Jagielka pinpointed why Slot may have been unhappy with James Tarkowski’s 98th minute equaliser after a nudge in the penalty area in the build-up to the goal.

He said: “You can see why Arne Slot was furious. There was a slight little nudge in the box and if that was my team I would be appealing. I would be getting sent off after the game too.

“Slot always talks about staying composed but it seems like he lost a bit of his composure at the end there. That’s what a derby does to you.”

Slot was also unable to comment on the post-match brawl that saw Jones and Doucoure sent off, although Reds captain Virgil van Dijk was able to offer his verdict.

“It was a very big provocation from one certain player,” the Dutchman told Match of the Day. “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.

“We all saw it and reacted as a team as we were able to do. You know what happens nowadays, it becomes one big tussle. Then it is not me who has to deal with it, it is the referee and today I am not sure he had it fully under control.”

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