As a Liverpool fan, Fantasy Premier League (FPL) was not my first consideration when James Tarkowski's equalizer hit the back of the net, nor even when Arne Slot was shown a red card after the final whistle. But as one of the millions to have activated my assistant manager chip, it was not long before the questions started to occur to me.
The goal was a sucker punch for those who had selected Slot ahead of David Moyes, with the strike making the Scot the higher scorer for the double gameweek. But backers of the Liverpool boss may have feared an even worse fate when the former Feyenoord coach was given his marching orders by Michael Oliver.
In the case of playing personnel, FPL rules state that minus points can still be received when a red card is issued after the final whistle. A straight red card incurs a penalty of three points — and to make matters worse, the offender will then have to serve a Premier League suspension.
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Fortunately for those who used the new assistant manager chip, however, coaches are treated differently. The FPL FAQs state that they will not be penalized for yellow or red cards received, regardless of when they are awarded.
As a result, Slot's final tally for Gameweek 24 stands at 15 points. There will be no retrospective alterations.
Slot earned ten FPL points against Bournemouth: six for a win, two for a clean sheet, and one for each goal scored. But hopes of another bumper return were ruined by Everton, where the Liverpool boss could only record three points for a draw and two points for the goals scored by Salah and Alexis Mac Allister.
Liverpool has another double gameweek in GW25. That's because the Aston Villa fixture has been moved forward, as a result of the Reds' involvement in the Carabao Cup final.
Many FPL players will have been planning to use Slot as assistant manager once again, seeking to take fresh advantage of the double returns. But what if he is suspended?
A suspension is still far from confirmed. The lengthy process of charges and appeals means Slot could still be on the touchline for Wolves and Aston Villa anyway, and it may be that he avoids a ban altogether.
But FPL players need not worry. Regardless of whether or not Slot is suspended, he will still score points in the ususal manner.
In other words, whoever actually takes charge of Liverpool, Slot will get the credit in FPL for all of the usual metrics: wins, goals scored and clean sheets. As a result, he remains a highly viable option for anyone who has played the assistant manager chip.
But FPL players will also want to consider alternative options ahead of GW25. Slot can be replaced using a transfer, and Unai Emery also has a double gameweek with Aston Villa.
An opening match against Ipswich looks likely to yield a good points haul. And should Villa manage a result against Liverpool, then Emery will benefit from a "table bonus" for beating a team five or more places higher in the Premier League table.
So there is much to think about. But when it comes to the red card and the possible ban, Slot is in the clear from an FPL perspective.
