Former Everton defender John Heitinga could take charge of Liverpool at the weekend after Arne Slot and his assistant, Sipke Hulshoff, were sent off on Wednesday night.

Slot was shown a red card after confronting referee Michael Oliver in the aftermath of Everton's dramatic late equaliser against the Reds, who played out an entertaining 2-2 draw in the Merseyside derby.

Abdoulaye Doucoure and Curtis Jones also saw red after the former sparked a brawl by celebrating in front of the travelling Liverpool fans post-match.

And the red cards shown by Oliver will have repercussions for Liverpool at the weekend, with Slot and Hulshoff likely to be banned for Sunday's match with Wolves.

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That means Heitinga, who made 140 appearances for Everton and moved to Anfield in the summer to join Slot's coaching team, could lead the Reds at the weekend, as outlined by The Mail.

Slot's red card meant that the Liverpool chief was also unable to fulfil his post-match press duties or shed any light on the conversation he had with Oliver prior to his dismissal.

Speaking on TNT Sports, former Everton defender Phil Jagielka pinpointed why Slot may have been unhappy with James Tarkowski's 98th minute equaliser after a nudge in the penalty area in the build-up to the goal.

He said: "You can see why Arne Slot was furious.

I would be getting sent off after the game too.

.

John Heitinga (L) could lead Liverpool at the weekend after Slot's red card.

That's what a derby does to you."

Slot was also unable to comment on the post-match brawl that saw Jones and Doucoure sent off, although Reds captain Virgil van Dijk was able to offer his verdict.

"It was a very big provocation from one certain player," the Dutchman told Match of the Day.

"I think Abdoulaye Doucoure wanted to provoke our fans, I think that is what I saw and Curtis Jones didn't think it was the right thing to do.

"We all saw it and reacted as a team as we were able to do.
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