The Ref Who Angered Slot Returns: What It Means for Liverpool This Weekend | OneFootball

Arne Slot Faces Referee Madley Once Again in Liverpool’s Return to Premier League Action

Liverpool’s manager Arne Slot will be looking for a smoother encounter when his side faces Nottingham Forest at Anfield this weekend, with referee Andy Madley once again at the helm. The 42-year-old match official has been involved in several controversial calls in recent seasons, none more notable than his previous run-ins with Slot.

Slot’s Tensions with Referee Madley

Arne Slot’s relationship with Madley has had its ups and downs, especially following their heated exchange during Liverpool’s 3-3 draw against Newcastle United in December 2024. The Dutch manager was visibly frustrated by Madley’s decisions, a theme that has appeared frequently in high-profile matches involving the Reds. As Liverpool prepare for a crucial Premier League clash, both parties will likely hope for a less dramatic game, as this is far from the first time Madley has found himself in the centre of a fiery Liverpool encounter.

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Referee Confrontation in the Tunnel

The previous season’s 3-3 draw against Eddie Howe’s team saw Madley facing strong criticism from Slot. The two were spotted in a heated discussion as they made their way down the tunnel at half-time, which raised eyebrows. Slot was later alleged to have confronted the referee in his dressing room, as reported by the Liverpool Echo. This sparked further speculation, with Amazon Prime’s Dan Walker noting during the broadcast that Slot had sought to speak with Madley during the break, adding that Eddie Howe was not pleased with the situation.

“I’m sure there’s going to be more said and more written and more spoken about that in the future,” Walker added, highlighting the ongoing attention surrounding the incident.

Misunderstandings and Clarifications

Despite the tension, The Echo later clarified that the alleged confrontation in the dressing room did not take place. Instead, it was revealed that Slot and Madley had a brief discussion in the tunnel, but no further escalation occurred. Amazon Prime also issued an apology to Slot, attributing the misunderstanding to production errors. When asked about the episode, Eddie Howe diplomatically responded, “I don’t think I’ll go there because I think that’s a can of worms that I should not [open].”

Slot’s Expected Line-up Changes

Looking ahead to the upcoming match against Forest, Slot will likely welcome several key players back into the fold. Most notably, Alisson Becker is expected to return between the sticks after a period of absence. In his absence, the Reds have struggled, conceding ten goals and keeping just one clean sheet. Alisson’s return could provide the stability Liverpool need at the back.

Slot will also have the option to field Alexander Isak, who has struggled to find form since his record move to the club. The Swedish forward was left out of his national team’s starting line-up this week, raising questions about his match fitness. Despite this, Liverpool fans will be hoping for Isak to finally deliver on the considerable investment made in him.