Paul Merson, Mike Dean clash on ‘classless’ Michael Oliver for Arne Slot red card
Paul Merson and Mike Dean clashed over Michael Oliver’s decision to show Liverpool manager Arne Slot a red card after the full-time whistle in the Merseyside derby.
Liverpool and Everton played out a ferocious 2-2 draw, in the final Merseyside derby to be hosted at Goodison Park, on Wednesday night (12 February).
The match between the two famous rivals boiled over in the final minutes, as James Tarkowski hit a stunning volley to equalise in the 98th minute for the Toffees.
However, Beto appeared to shove Ibrahima Konate before Everton’s equaliser, making the English defender’s goal a controversial one.
Prior to the goal, Mohamed Salah was tripped by Carlos Alcaraz, with the new boy’s foul going unpunished by Oliver.
Those decisions that went against Liverpool, and the momentous occasion, caused Slot to seek out Oliver after the full-time whistle, shaking his hand aggressively and saying something to the referee.
What was said remains unknown, but Keith Hackett told Football Insider that whatever Liverpool boss Slot said to Oliver will be the reason he was sent off.
Speaking on Sky Sports Soccer Saturday, former Arsenal star Merson, and ex-referee Dean, clashed over the decision, with Merson saying (1.27pm): “It’s the heat of the moment. That’s the last night game at Goodison Park, not just the last Merseyside derby that’s the last night game there.
“So it was a big, big football match that was, and he got involved it. I thought the ref could have had a little bit more class about him.
“He could have easily not sent him off [Slot]. I could see the Jones one… I think there referee’s have got to have a little bit of common sense.
“The magnitude of the game, he’s the manager, he’s just seen his team let in a goal with the last kick of the game. He [Oliver] can’t wait to get that [red card] out. I don’t care what’s been said.”
Dean interjected, saying Slot must have said something offensive to the referee, to which Merson hit back: “He’s not seven or eight running over to his mum and dad saying ‘so and so called me this’. I mean come on! It’s the head of the moment! It’s the Premier League!”
Dean said: “It doesn’t matter, the players and managers have still got to take responsibility for what they say and they do on the pitch, so if he’s said something to the referee, which I think he probably has with the way the referee’s reacted, he can’t then say ‘I tell you what, call me what you want, I’ll just let you off’.”
An update Merson exclaimed “Oh Mike!”, and after the debate raged on between the two, Merson said: “The only thing he should get sent off for is if he went and said ‘You’re a cheat’. That’s the only reason and if he’s called him that he should get five red cards and a 10-game ban.”
Dean: “You’ve just said a minute ago in the heat of the moment I’d let him off.”
Merson shouted back: “But that’s the only thing! If he goes and says ‘you’re a so-and-so, so-and-so’, have a bit about you and just go ‘alright’ and just walk off. Don’t go [makes stupid person noises]”
Dean: “Paul you can’t do that.”
Merson: “Mike! It’s the game! It’s the game!”
Dean: “It doesn’t matter, everyone complains about ‘protect the referee’. Grass roots referees will see that and you wonder why referees at the lower do not want to come through. Let that kind of behaviour get away with it then we’ve got no chance.”
Merson: “He hasn’t gone and strangled him! He’s shook his hand!”
Liverpool left frustrated by Everton as Arsenal gain ground in title-race
Despite injuries to Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus, Ethan Nwaneri put in a player-of-the-match performance against Leicester, as the Gunners moved to within touching distance of Liverpool.
There had been talk of Mikel Merino being used as a makeshift striker by Mikel Arteta, and the Spaniard came off the bench to score twice against the Foxes.
Liverpool must now bounce back from their draw against Everton when they face off against Wolves on Sunday (16 February).
Premier League fails to protect referees after Everton vs Liverpool
Football Insider Verdict
The decision by the Premier League to make referee’s, and their assistants, stand in the centre of the pitch after a game is poor safeguarding.
Too many times, players and managers have used the formality’s of a post-match handshake as an opportunity to voice their frustrations at the stewarding of the game.
Slot was rightfully frustrated at the decisions that went against his side, but allowing him the opportunity to vent at Oliver is a failing on the league’s behalf.
Oliver is then put in an awkward position, should he just accept the grief from the Liverpool manager? The referee would have been called out for not standing up to the Dutchman.
Instead, Oliver has been put in the firing line for sending off Liverpool’s manager, in what was a very avoidable situation.
This all came from Abdoulaye Doucoure celebrating in front of the Red’s fans, and then Curtis Jones reacting by shoving the Senegalese midfielder, both were sent off, and rightfully so by the referee.