The arch-rivals played out an unforgettable Merseyside derby that ended in a dramatic 2-2 draw, with James Tarkowski scoring a last-minute equalizer for Everton.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot and his assistant Sipke Hulshoff were furious over the decision to allow Tarkowski’s goal to stand. ..Continue Reading
Despite VAR checks for possible fouls or offside in the buildup to Everton’s late goal, the system upheld the on-field ruling.
The official statement from the Premier League declared: “The referee’s call of goal was checked and confirmed by the VAR, who established that Doucoure was in an onside position in the build-up.”
Following the intense confrontation, Slot and Hulshoff both engaged angrily with referee Oliver, leading to red cards for the managerial duo.
Before their ejections, tensions had already escalated into a full-blown brawl involving players from both teams after Everton’s Abdoulaye Doucoure provoked the visiting supporters.
According to the Mirror, Liverpool’s Curtis Jones responded by shoving Doucoure, which sparked further altercations among the players.
As police and stewards rushed to calm the situation, things took a darker turn when a projectile from the crowd struck Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.
Subsequently, both Jones and Doucoure were sent off, and these decisions have since been fully supported by the Premier League.
A statement said: “The referee issued second yellow cards and red cards to Curtis Jones and Abdoulaye Doucoure following an altercation after the final whistle. Arne Slot and his assistant Sipke Hulshoff were also shown straight red cards after the final whistle.”
Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk, stepping in for the suspended Arne Slot, delivered an initial response brimming with criticism aimed at Everton’s player Doucoure.
“This is their cup final. We saw it last year, and this year it’s a big blow. Doucoure wanted to provoke our fans. Curtis didn’t think that was the right thing to do. I think the referee didn’t have the game in control; I said that to him,” vented Van Dijk.
“It was a very big provocation from one certain player. We all saw it and reacted as a team as we were able to do. You know what happens nowadays, it becomes one big tussle. Then it is not me who has to deal with it, it is the referee and today I am not sure he had it fully under control.”
On the other side, Everton boss David Moyes expressed disappointment with Doucoure’s behaviour but couldn’t hide his joy over snatching a point from their rivals.
“Mental probably sums it up. A brilliant finish for us, to finish the last Goodison Merseyside derby and score in the last minute is in a way fitting. [Tarkowski] had the quality which was the one that really mattered,” he reflected to TNT Sports.
“I’m disappointed with Doucoure because we need him, we’re down on numbers at the moment. We’ve got to be careful what we do. Discipline is never easy sometimes in these games and tonight was a game where quite easily sending offs happen.”
