Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk accused Abdoulaye Doucoure of wanting to provoke away supporters when he celebrated Everton’s late equaliser as the Merseyside derby ended with a melee involving multiple players from both teams.
Red cards were issued to Doucoure and Liverpool’s Curtis Jones at the end of the dramatic 2-2 draw at Goodison Park while Liverpool manager Arne Slot and his assistant Sipke Hulshoff were also sent off after the final whistle.
Both clubs could now face action after the incidents at the end of the match which were sparked after Everton captain James Tarkowski scored a dramatic 98th-minute equaliser. The goal ensured the final derby at Goodison Park before Everton’s move to Bramley-Moore Dock ended level.
Tarkowski’s strike led to celebration from the home fans in the stadium, some of whom went on to the pitch and had to be returned to the stands, while a VAR review for the goal caused a further delay.
After referee Michael Oliver blew the full-time whistle, Everton midfielder Doucoure appeared to run over to celebrate in front of the away supporters which drew a reaction from Liverpool midfielder Jones.
This sparked a fracas that involved players from both sides clashing on the pitch and needing to be separated.
Speaking to the TNT Sports after the match, Van Dijk said: “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.
“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.”
Speaking on the late equaliser, Van Dijk said: “Very tough. To concede an equaliser that late is always disappointing. We saw the celebrations they had in the end so we know how much it meant for them but the fact is it was disappointing for us.”
Beto had given Everton the lead in the first half before Alexis MacAllister levelled things up before half-time. Mo Salah gave Liverpool the lead in the 73rd minute with his 22nd league goal of the season before Tarkowski netted a late equaliser.
The result leaves Liverpool seven points clear at the top of the Premier League while Everton are in 15th on 27 points.
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The Briefing – Everton 2 Liverpool 2: Why were Jones, Doucoure and Slot sent off after game?
(Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
