Liverpool fans in meltdown after ‘ridiculous’ James Pearce update – ‘Barbaric’
Liverpool supporters are in meltdown after a new update emerged ahead of the Newcastle United clash on Wednesday.
If results go their way on 26 February, the Reds could potentially be 14 points clear at the summit of the Premier League.
However, they face a Magpies side fighting for a Champions League qualification spot and to set a marker for when the sides meet in the Carabao Cup final (16 March).
The Anfield clash has been made even tougher after a new development involving Arne Slot.
Slot set to miss Liverpool matches
The Reds boss was sent off after the full-time whistle in the 2-2 draw with Everton and he has finally found out his punishment from the Football Association.
A report from James Pearce (26 February) shared that the Dutchman will serve a two-match touchline ban and was fined £70,000.
His assistant, Sipke Hulshoff, was handed the same ban and a £7,000 fine for his involvement in the incident.
Liverpool fans react to Slot news
It is safe to say that Reds supporters are far from impressed with the update on Slot’s punishment that emerged ahead of the crucial clash.
| Table | Played | GD | Points |
| 1. Liverpool | 27 | +38 | 64 |
| 2. Arsenal | 26 | +28 | 53 |
One fan sarcastically asked how many matches Michael Oliver will be banned for after an “abysmal and barbaric performance.”
Another claimed that the governing body seems to “always make an example of Liverpool” labelling the decision as “ridiculous.”
How many match bans for the referee for his abysmal and barbaric performance????
— Joe Austin (@Joeaustin007) February 26, 2025
This is ridiculous for an aggressive handshake, seems to always be Liverpool they make example’s out of.
— BLFC (@Ben__LFC__) February 26, 2025
Where’s peps for the sake thing?
£70,000 fine for shaking someone’s hand 😂😂😂
— Francis ♱ 🇳🇬 (@LFCFranciss) February 26, 2025
£70k fine and banned for the Newcastle game for shaking this man’s hand… pic.twitter.com/Zm4KLADM7h
— 𝙆𝙖𝙮™️ #HUGHESOUT (@KayLFC05_) February 26, 2025
If referees weren’t so bad, managers wouldn’t have to confront them. Fix the officiating, and these incidents wouldn’t happen.
— Tom Boyle (@tomlikestocode) February 26, 2025
How are managers and players getting heavily punished but referees don’t, even when the refs are found to be wrong?
— HS (@oomphfgs) February 26, 2025
Refs have cost some managers their jobs and livelihood.
What are the consequences for Michael Oliver
— J3:16 (@Skhomo23) February 26, 2025
I still don’t have a clue what he done
— Fine (@Fine______) February 26, 2025
And what about Michael Oliver for being the worse ref in Europe
— Don-5*Angels (@DonAng1968) February 26, 2025
Convenient how this happens before the Newcastle game which Michael Oliver supports
— dangibson (@daniel6785) February 26, 2025
Liverpool will have to rely on first-team coach John Heitinga to take charge of the Newcastle and Southampton matches in the league.
However, after the way that their side demolished Manchester City, they will be confident that they can get the job done against Eddie Howe’s side and the relegation strugglers without the ex-Feyenoord boss on the touchline.
If they drop points and therefore surrender their heavy margin in the title race, the decision to ban Slot for two matches for a seemingly innocuous incident will prove controversial.
If they secure victory in both games without Slot, the ban will be reduced to a footnote in a historical season if the Dutchman goes on to win the league in his first season in England.