Liverpool manager Arne Slot has claimed that he picked up his yellow card in Sunday's 2-2 draw with Arsenal due to confusion over an expletive remark that he made within earshot of the fourth official.
The Reds missed the chance to go back to the top of the Premier League table at the Emirates, where they twice fought back from a goal down to end their two-game top-flight losing streak on the Gunners' turf.
Bukayo Saka fired the Gunners ahead in the first half before Virgil van Dijk levelled the scores from a corner, but Arsenal then harnessed their own set-piece prowess to retake the lead through Mikel Merino.
However, after Mikel Arteta's side lost Gabriel Magalhaes to injury in the second half, Liverpool subjected the North London giants to incessant pressure and got their reward when Mohamed Salah stole a point for the Merseyside giants.
As well as seeing Gabriel trudge off the field, after the Brazilian had initially tried to play through the pain, Arsenal were also forced to bring off Jurrien Timber, who was only just making his return from a muscular problem.
Slot: 'The fourth official thought I called him a f****** joke'
© Imago
Some believed that the Gunners were trying to run the clock down with their various second-half stoppages, though, and Slot revealed at full time that he expressed his frustrations to Ibrahima Konate about the hosts' perceived gamesmanship.
However, the fourth official at the Emirates - Sam Barrott - apparently believed that Slot's foul-mouthed remark was directed at him, seeing the Dutchman pick up his second yellow card of the campaign.
"Last time, I said I completely deserved the yellow card (against Chelsea). This time I don't think I did," The Athletic quotes Slot as saying in his post-game press conference.
"So many times they were on the floor, which can happen in football, I don't blame them for that. But they always fell down after they had ball possession and that took the energy out of the game in my opinion.
"I said to Ibou Konate, 'This is a ****ing joke.' The fourth official (Sam Barrott) thought I said to him: 'You are a ****ing joke.' That's definitely not what I said. I got a yellow for that so now I'm on two and I have to be careful."
Slot running suspension risk after second yellow card
© Imago
The yellow card thresholds are different for players and managers in the Premier League, as head coaches must serve a one-game suspension if they pick up three bookings at any point in the season.
As a result, Slot - who was also cautioned in the 2-1 win over Chelsea a week ago - is just one yellow card away from a touchline ban, which he could very well serve against Manchester City.
If Slot is yellow-carded again in the clash with Southampton on November 24, his suspension will come against the champions on December 1, although Liverpool also face Brighton & Hove Albion and Aston Villa earlier this month.
On account of dropping points on the road for the first time in Slot's reign, Liverpool end the weekend second in the Premier League table, one point behind Man City but still four ahead of Arsenal.
The Reds now turn their attention to Wednesday's EFL Cup clash with Brighton before also taking on the Seagulls in the top flight at Anfield next weekend.
Ben Knapton
