Think back to just over two weeks ago when referee Michael Oliver and his family received death threats after he dismissed Arsenal defender Myles Lewis-Skelly.
The red card was subsequently overturned, which was the right call, but the vitriol directed towards Oliver could not be reversed.
Fast forward to last night, and Liverpool’s shameful antics at Everton showed that they had learned nothing from what happened to Oliver.
Liverpool mar high-octane clash at Goodison Park
Let’s dispense with the waffle. Referees make mistakes. It happens. Get over it. When people are issuing death threats, something needs to change.
Treating officials with respect would be a good place to start. It’s long been argued that football should take a leaf out of rugby union’s book. It’s not a bad idea.
Regardless of what anyone thinks of Oliver’s officiating, Liverpool manager Arne Slot overstepped the mark with him last night.
There’s been talk of a two-game touchline. Make it 22. If that happens, we might start to see a change in how people in football interact with match officials.
And while we’re striving to clean up the sport, let’s find out who racially abused Abdoulaye Doucoure after the game and throw the book at them.
The same goes for whichever Liverpool moron decided that throwing a bottle into a melee of players was a good idea.
Add in Curtis Jones’ fake hard man act after the game that earned him a red card, and there is plenty for the authorities to sink their teeth into.
Liverpool’s collective behaviour last night – staff, players and ‘fans’ – was deplorable. And they wonder why everyone else hates them.
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Swerve the European action this evening in favour of the League Two clash between promotion-chasers Port Vale and Notts County.
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