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Everyone loves a good title race wrought with twists and turns - that's what makes the Premier League special.

But points deducted from Liverpool's total on top of the punishment owed to their head coach speaking his mind to a referee?

They conceded an equaliser well over the limit of stoppage time placed on the game by referee Michael Oliver, a post-match brawl in front of the away fans saw Curtis Jones dismissed and he was soon-after followed by Arne Slot and assistant Sipke Hulshoff.

At that time, it appeared to be a result and reaction that may have suggested the wheels were coming off, though results since, both at Liverpool and Arsenal have seen to it that Slot's men already have one hand on the 2024/25 title.

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This is a sport, that thousands go to watch and millions more watch from home willing their support for a team to do their best, so just think much that intensifies when it is your livelihood.

Granted, allegedly telling referee Oliver that, "If we don’t win the league, I’ll f***ing blame you," is a step too far, but Slot hasn't reacted like that for no reason whatsoever.

We're already in a Premier League era where some officials respond to any slight criticism by brandishing a card or sending a club's coach to the stands.

We might get Howard Webb appearing on Match Officials Mic'd Up making one promise or another to do better, or the Premier League Match Centre account on X posting statements live as games happening.

He was overseeing the Reds at Bournemouth seven days later.

It's only took a rather scary incident for Oliver to be removed as a referee for the next round of domestic matches

Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta was on the receiving end of a flying karate kick to the head from Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts in the FA Cup and Oliver did not take any action to punish it - not even a yellow card - before VAR intervened.

It isn't like this idea of points deductions in response to coach's outbursts is something the FA are actively debating to introduce, it is just the suggestion of one pundit and that alone, but such outlandish ideas just aren't needed when we've got a tinder box waiting to go up in flames.

Before someone who has held such power amongst referees in England suggests how we further censor those most qualified to give constructive criticism, perhaps Mr Hackett should look inwards at his former organisation and analyse how they can improve confidence in their capabilities.


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