The final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park ended in chaos as three red cards were shown AFTER the final whistle.
Arne Slot’s Liverpool had looked like they would spoil the party for Toffees fans in the final derby at their iconic home, before Everton defender James Tarkowski blasted in a stunning leveller in the eighth minute of stoppage time – that was only given after a lengthy VAR check for an offside and then potential foul in the build-up. After fans who raced onto the pitch to celebrate had returned to their seats the goal was given, with referee Michael Oliver blowing for full-time almost immediately after kick off.
And unsavoury scenes followed as Everton’s Abdoulaye Doucoure sprinted to celebrate in front of the travelling support, before getting involved in a scuffle with Curtis Jones that saw both players given second yellow cards. A Liverpool coach then had to be hauled back from confronting referee Oliver by captain Virgil van Dijk, before Reds’ boss Arne Slot became the third man to see red for his furious protests.
Commentating on TNT Sport Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand said: “I’ve been there with Mario Balotelli doing that to our fans. I was incensed so I can understand why Curtis Jones has got involved. You don’t want to see anyone causing a storm like that but I understand his feelings when you see someone giving it to your fans after a game of such emotion.
“You don’t want to see that, but he’s seen someone run towards his own fans and he wasn’t happy.” Co-commentator Ally McCoist added: “The passion within the stadium is unreal, it’s at fever pitch but you make a good point. Celebrate with your own fans.”
Everton scorer Tarkowski meanwhile told TNT Sport: “It’s amazing I’m proud of my team, it was a tough game and we stuck at it. I’m really proud of the performance we put in, we worked hard and we’ve started to score a few goals now.” Home boss David Moyes added: “Mental would probably sum that up. The night was made for something like that to happen. It was a throwback of a game.”
Liverpool captain van Dijk said: “I think Doucoure wanted to provoke our fans and Curtis didn’t think that was the right thing to do. I think the ref didn’t have the game under control in my opinion, I said that to him, and both teams had to deal with it it. I will take the point and we will move on.”