Liverpool Manager Slot Addresses Red Card in Merseyside Derby: ‘Emotions Got the Better of Me’

Liverpool manager Arne Slot greet their supporters after the English Premier League match between Everton FC and Liverpool FC, in Liverpool, Britain, 12 February 2025. (EPA)
Liverpool manager Arne Slot greet their supporters after the English Premier League match between Everton FC and Liverpool FC, in Liverpool, Britain, 12 February 2025. (EPA)
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Liverpool Manager Slot Addresses Red Card in Merseyside Derby: ‘Emotions Got the Better of Me’

Liverpool manager Arne Slot greet their supporters after the English Premier League match between Everton FC and Liverpool FC, in Liverpool, Britain, 12 February 2025. (EPA)
Liverpool manager Arne Slot greet their supporters after the English Premier League match between Everton FC and Liverpool FC, in Liverpool, Britain, 12 February 2025. (EPA)

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has regrets about his conduct that earned him a red card in the wild scenes after the Merseyside derby during the week.

Slot appeared to aggressively shake the hand of referee Michael Oliver and make some comments to the official amid the post-match chaos at the 2-2 draw with Everton, which equalized in the eighth minute of stoppage time on Wednesday.

He was one of four people to receive red cards after the game, along with his assistant, Sipke Hulshoff, and two players — Liverpool's Curtis Jones and Everton's Abdoulaye Doucoure — following their confrontation.

The Dutch coach wasn’t allowed to speak to media after the game, as per Premier League rules regarding managers who receive red cards, so he addressed the events for the first time Friday, saying “many things in extra time happened that led to me being quite emotional.”

“The emotions got the better of me and if I look back, I would love to do it differently,” Slot said. “I'm hoping to do it differently next time.”

He would not comment on the precise reason why he was red-carded, however.

“What has exactly been said and what has happened, there's an ongoing process and I don't want to disturb that,” Slot said.

“I should have acted differently after the game,” he added, “but it's an emotional sport and sometimes individuals, out of emotion, make the wrong decision and that's what I did.”

Slot was speaking ahead of Liverpool's home match against Wolverhampton on Sunday, and said forward Cody Gakpo was a doubt because of an injury that forced him to be substituted in the second half against Everton.

Liverpool leads the league by seven points from Arsenal.



Red Bull Demotion ‘Tough’, Says Lawson 

Red Bull driver Liam Lawson of New Zealand during the drivers portrait photo session ahead of the Australian Formula One Grand Prix at Albert Park, in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, March 13, 2025. (AP)
Red Bull driver Liam Lawson of New Zealand during the drivers portrait photo session ahead of the Australian Formula One Grand Prix at Albert Park, in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, March 13, 2025. (AP)
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Red Bull Demotion ‘Tough’, Says Lawson 

Red Bull driver Liam Lawson of New Zealand during the drivers portrait photo session ahead of the Australian Formula One Grand Prix at Albert Park, in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, March 13, 2025. (AP)
Red Bull driver Liam Lawson of New Zealand during the drivers portrait photo session ahead of the Australian Formula One Grand Prix at Albert Park, in Melbourne, Australia, Thursday, March 13, 2025. (AP)

Formula One driver Liam Lawson said his demotion by Red Bull after two races was "tough", but he is excited to work with his former team Racing Bulls.

The New Zealander was replaced by Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda in a straight swap between the sister teams after not scoring a point in Australia and China as defending champion Max Verstappen's new teammate.

"Being a @redbullracing driver has been my dream since I was a kid, it's what I've worked towards my whole life," the 23-year-old wrote on social media.

"It's tough, but I'm grateful for everything that's brought me to this point. To every one of you who's stood by me, thank you for all the support it means the world.

"Thank you @visacashapprb for the warm welcome, I'm excited and ready to go to work at one of my favorite places."

Lawson qualified 18th and failed to finish in Australia before qualifying last for the sprint and race in China.

He will join French rookie Isack Hadjar at Italy-based Racing Bulls where he raced 11 times across 2023-24.

Lawson's demotion has gone down poorly in New Zealand where pundits and motor racing figures blamed Red Bull for not giving him time to prove himself.

"It's a cruel sport, but I really don't think he was given a fair shot IMO," IndyCar driver Scott McLaughlin said.

Red Bull team boss Christian Horner said Lawson's replacement was "purely a sporting decision" and that Red Bull would support the New Zealander as best they could.

Japan hosts the next round of F1 at Suzuka on April 6.