Liverpool defender Virgil Van Dijk has blamed referee Michael Oliver for the chaotic end to the entertaining 2-2 draw between Everton, and Liverpool on Wednesday......CONTINUE READING THE ARTICLE FROM THE SOURCE>>>>>
The final derby at the Goodison Park lived up to expectations with fireworks, and stunning performances from both sides.
Beto gave Everton the lead in the 11th minute with a clinical finish to send their fans into wild jubilations.
Five minutes later, Alexis Mac Allister brought Liverpool level with a glancing header from Mohamed Salah’s cross.
Mohammed Salah thought he had handed Liverpool the maximum points in the 73rd minute but Everton had other answers.
James Tarkowski scored a 98th minute equaliser for Everton to make it 2-2.
Abdoulaye Doucoure celebrated Tarkowski’s goal in front of Liverpool supporters, which sparked a heated reaction from Curtis Jones, which led to a post-match clash.
Consequently, Curtis Jones, and Abdoulaye Doucoure were sent off for their involvement in the clash.
Liverpool manager, Arne Slot was also sent off alongside his assistant Sipke Hulshoff after the final whistle.
Van Dijk has heaped the blame on Michael Oliver for losing control of the fiery encounter.
He said: “We saw how they celebrated the goal, they have all the right to, but I think Doucoure at the end wanted to provoke our fans and Curtis didn’t think it was the right thing to do.
“You know what happens when there is a tussle, I think the referee didn’t have the game under control and I said it to him. It is a fact, both teams had to deal with it. We take a point and move on.”
Van Dijk was disappointed with the late equaliser from Tarkowski, saying the draw felt like a defeat.
He said: “Because it was over extra time and I think the referee had a big part in the game in terms of certain challenges were given as a foul and similar were not.
“We all know this is their cup final and they will do everything in their power to try and win against us. This year, you see them scoring at the end and it’s obviously a big boost for them but it’s a blow for us.”
Liverpool manager, Arne Slot did not hold his post-match conference after he was sent off.
According to the Premier League rules, A player or manager that has been sent off in a league match will not be required to be made available for interview during or after that league match.
Slot and his assistant, Sipke Hulshoff were sent off, and it was expected that Liverpool would allow third-in-command John Heitinga to hold the press conference but they chose not to.
Meanwhile, Everton manager, David Moyes was delighted with his team’s performance, and ranks the encounter as one of the best in his career.
He said: “I think it ranks really high [in terms of my moments at Goodison Park] because of the meaning – what it meant.
“I think for us to come from behind and get a draw out of the game at that time was a big result for us. The stadium was fantastic. I can remember nights through my career here earlier on where it’s been a great place to play – Fiorentina and nights like that.
“Some of the games here have been incredible but tonight will be right up there with that. I think the supporters did the stadium proud tonight and, in a lot of ways, the team did the supporters proud as well.”
Moyes was full of praise for his players for fighting to the end, and also the supporters for cheering the team throughout the match.
He said: “They never gave up, stuck at it. We lacked a bit of quality at times but we tried to find a way of getting a result out of the game and we got something from it.
“This has never been an easy ground for anyone to come and play at. Maybe there’s been a bit where the crowd and the players haven’t quite been on the same page, partly because of the tough times they’ve had. I think now there’s beginning to be a better connection with the players and supporters again. The crowd tonight was magnificent.
“I think the supporters did the stadium proud tonight, and in a lot of ways, the team did the supporters proud as well.”
Liverpool’s Slot, Hulshoff and Jones will all miss the clash with Wolves. Heitinga is expected to serve as stand-in head coach unless Liverpool appeal those red cards.
The draw extends Liverpool’s lead to seven points over second-placed Arsenal, while Everton moved up to 15th on the Premier League log.
The Reds will resume Premier League action on Sunday against Wolves at Anfield, and Everton will take on Crystal Palace.