Liverpool manager Arne Slot found himself in hot water after apparently complimenting referee Michael Oliver with a "great game" before receiving his marching orders against Everton before Virgil van Dijk intervened to tell his boss to 'keep away', claims a lip reading expert.

The latest Merseyside derby ended in controversy for Liverpool when an injury-time leveller turned the match on its head.

James Tarkowski's last-gasp strike header saw Everton snatch a 2-2 draw at Goodison Park, and subsequent red cards handed to Curtis Jones, boss Slot, and assistant Sipke Hulshoff capped off an infuriating match for the league leaders

All three dismissals – as well as Everton’s Abdoulaye Doucoure - flared post-match during a scuffle triggered by the Toffees midfielder's provoking celebration directed at the visitors' section.

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Jones earned a second booking for his altercation with the Everton star, while the grounds behind Slot’s dismissal were initially unclear.

Only after the Dutch coach firmly gripped Oliver's hand did it become somewhat apparent; however, lip reader Jeremy Freeman suggests it was Slot's preceding comment that might have stirred controversy.

As he stepped towards Oliver, Slot reportedly remarked: "Great game," which Oliver may have felt was a sarcastic jibe, leading him to dig into his pocket for a card.

it isn't personal," and wisely suggested his boss to "keep away".

The controversy started after referee Oliver did not award Liverpool a free-kick before Everton netted a dramatic equaliser.

Additionally, the VAR team took over three minutes to confirm the Everton goal, examining a marginal offside and a potential infringement involving Liverpool's Ibrahima Konate.

There have been rumblings within Liverpool regarding the legitimacy of Everton's initial goal as well; a foul on Iliman Ndiaye preceding Beto's goal raised eyebrows, where some felt Konate was unfairly penalised.

"I think the referee had a big part in the game today in terms of certain challenges were given [as] a foul, and similar challenges [weren't]," he told TNT Sports.

"We saw how they celebrated the goal...
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