Arne Slot's behaviour at Everton match led to calls of Liverpool points deduction

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The Merseyside Derby is one of the Premier League's most intense affairs . Sunday afternoon will see Everton host their city rivals, Liverpool, at Hill Dickinson Stadium in the 248th edition of the iconic fixture.

While the game will make history for being the first derby to be played at Everton's new home on the banks of the Mersey, it's highly likely it'll be remembered more for on-pitch matters.

It was after the chaotic derby of February 12, 2025 , that Liverpool boss Arne Slot was believed to have crossed the line in his run-in with referee Michael Oliver , with calls for a points deduction even doing the rounds following the clash.

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The dramatic 2-2 encounter served as a fitting final derby for Everton's former ground of Goodison Park. Liverpool looked to be taking the three points back across Stanley Park thanks to goals from Mo Salah and Alexis Mac Allister when Blues defender James Tarkowski hit a stunning 98th-minute equaliser in front of the Gwladys Street end, sending the home support into raptures.

However, the goal was only given after a lengthy VAR check for a possible foul on Liverpool centre-back Ibrahima Konate, much to Slot's frustration. The goal, and its troubling fallout, somewhat summed up the 120 derbies played at Goodison throughout its storied history in a minute-long microcosm.

Toffees star Abdoulaye Doucoure taunted Reds fans after Everton's late goal and was subsequently confronted by Liverpool's Curtis Jones, with players from both sides squaring up before both were shown red cards by Oliver.

Slot began remonstrating with Oliver dramatically at the final whistle too, letting him know just what he thought of his decision to allow Tarkowski's late goal, earning himself a two-match ban in the process. Slot's assistant, Sipke Hulshoff, was also given his marching orders thanks to the melee.

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Afterwards, former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett claimed the fiery incident could have been the genesis for points deductions, suggesting that the standard practice of dishing out fines for those who overstep the mark was not fit for purpose.

“I would like to see referees at the final whistle moving towards the tunnel rather than standing in the middle looking for handshakes and any complimentary comments," Hackett told Football Insider.

“This will I feel reduce any tensions that have built up in the game. I hope that the level of fines will receive a more controlled approach by the manager and his assistant.

“If these fines going forward do not have the desired effect then we may see points deductions coming into play. The last time they used that sanction for an on-field mass confrontation was in the game between Manchester United v Arsenal (in the 1990s) where I was the man in the middle.”

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Arsenal were deducted two points after that 1990 meeting, with United handed a one-point penalty. Despite Hackett's speculation, there has been no indication from the Premier League that points deductions for on-field offences are in the pipeline.

After the game, Slot said: "It happened a lot and the emotions got the better of me. If I could do it differently, If I look back at it, I would love to do it differently. I would do it [differently] next time as well."

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