Arne Slot reveals X-rated comment that earned him yellow card, but Liverpool manager says he didn't target referees

Arne Slot has revealed he was booked after referees thought an X-rated comment he said to a Liverpool player was directed at them.

The Reds played out a thrilling 2-2 draw against Arsenal on Sunday. Bukayo Saka and Mohamed Salah Both scored breakthrough goals, with Mikel Merino and Virgil van Dijk also scoring.

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It was a missed opportunity for both teams to move further up the table, with Manchester City leading after the close of the game week, and frustrations boiling over at numerous points.

But a moment of fury for Slot earned him a place in the referees' book after fourth official Sam Barrott made a mistake.

When asked about his booking in the post-match interview, he said: “They (Arsenal) always went down when they had possession of the ball.

“I said (to Ibrahima Konate) 'This is a bloody joke', but the fourth official thought I was talking to him!

“They gave me a yellow for that!”

Jurrien Timber went down injured with about 15 minutes left and had to be replaced by youth player Myles Lewis-Skelly.

Then referee Anthony Taylor came to the touchline to caution. LiverpoolThe manager, so his comment was likely made around that time.

Luckily for Slot and company, Liverpool fought back to claim a point just five minutes after Timber was substituted.

Salah headed in a cross from Darwin Núñez, who latched onto a delightful long ball from Trent Alexander-Arnold, to make it 2-2 and send the visiting fans behind the goal into chaos.

Slot's warning on Sunday marks his second this season.

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He also received a yellow card. Chelsea last weekend in Liverpool's 2-1 win after Curtis Jones was denied a penalty, with VAR overturning the original decision.

At the time, the Dutchman said: “It could have been a crucial decision for the VAR to overturn the on-field referee's decision.

“I don't think VAR should have intervened. If you look at the screen, I think it's a penalty.

“The warning came for three or four decisions that didn't go the way we wanted. In handball, everyone was shouting for it, so I did it too.”

“I deserved the yellow card. It was as clear as the second penalty that should have been given to us.”

Meanwhile, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has been unable to give a clear indication on the severity of Gabriel and Timber's injuries after both were injured in the clash.

Speaking to talkSPORT chief football correspondent Alex Crook, the Arsenal manager said of the duo's condition: “I don't know.

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“Obviously they couldn't continue, which is not a good sign because those two are never willing to leave the field.

“But we have to evaluate them and see.”