New Delhi: Liverpool and Everton played out a thrilling 2-2 draw at Goodison Park on Wednesday, with Curtis Jones and Abdoulaye Doucouré sent off following an altercation on the field. Arne Slot, the visiting head coach, and assistant Sipke Hulshoff were also sent off following an altercation with referee Michael Oliver.
Following the final whistle, Everton midfielder Doucouré’s celebration in front of Liverpool supporters who had just watched their team open up a nine-point lead at the top of the Premier League table provoked emotions to spill over after James Tarkowski’s goal in the 98th minute.
Virgil van Dijk wasn’t happy with Michael Oliver’s performance in the Merseyside Derby 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/pQluIs3VnJ
— LiveScore (@livescore) February 12, 2025
Things heated up at Goodison Park
A altercation broke out after Jones, a midfielder for Liverpool, raced over to the Everton player, seemingly taking issue with Doucouré’s behavior. A riot broke out between the two squads in front of the away spectators as a result of their grappling. After coaches, stewards, and police broke up the altercation, Michael Oliver gave Jones and Doucouré a second yellow, even though they had both been booked during the 90 minutes.
Following a confrontation with Oliver, Liverpool manager Slot and his helper Hulshoff were both sent off. The home crowd, who had hoped to dampen their bitter rivals’ title ambitions since the game was postponed on December 7 due to Storm Darragh’s effects, relished Tarkowski’s late goal.
According to Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk, the referee didn’t have the game under control and he thought Oliver could have overseen it better.
“Obviously you saw how they celebrated the goal, and they have every right to,” the centre-back told TNT Sports. “I think Doucouré in the end wanted to provoke our fans and Curtis didn’t think that was the right thing to do, and obviously you know what happens when there is a tussle.
“I think the ref didn’t have the game under control in my opinion … Both teams have to deal with it. It is what it is. We just need to move on.”
Virgil van Dijk on the dramatic draw in the Merseyside derby:
‘We all know this is their cup final’ 🫥 pic.twitter.com/6vX4oTMVpe
— B/R Football (@brfootball) February 12, 2025
Arne Slot’s red card
During the postmatch press conference, Slot was unable to address the media due to his red card. The fact that the match would be the final encounter between the sides at Everton’s 131-year-old stadium added to the already heightened emotions caused by the postponed match. Next season, Everton is scheduled to relocate to their new stadium in Bramley-Moore Dock.
The draw not only hurt Liverpool’s chances of winning the championship, but it also gave Everton a crucial point in their fight against relegation. Everton’s performance has improved since Moyes took over as head coach on January 11. The Scot stated that he believed a major event was always going to occur at Goodison on Wednesday.
There was a big altercation in the Premier League fixture between the two Merseyside rivals, Everton and Liverpool, as four red cards were shown after the match ended levelled at 2-2. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
