Virgil van Dijk told referee Michael Olivier he lost control of an explosive Merseyside derby after aiming a swipe at Everton for turning up in ‘their cup final’.
Liverpool were getting ready to going nine points clear at the highest of the Premier League because of Mohamed Salah’s strike 14 minutes from time in the ultimate derby at Goodison Park before the Toffees move to their latest stadium in the summertime.
But James Tarkowski’s stunning equaliser deep into added time sparked delirious celebrations for the house fans.
The ultimate whistle followed shortly after with more chaos erupting after Abdoulaye Doucoure opted to rejoice in front of the travelling Liverpool supporters, shushing the away fans.
Curtis Jones raced over to push the Everton midfielder, sparking an enormous melee between each squads. Doucoure and Jones were each sent off after the ultimate whistle with Reds boss Arne Slot and his assistant Sipke Hulshoff also shown red cards within the chaotic finale.
Since David Moyes’ return to Everton, the Toffees have climbed away from the relegation zone and at the moment are 10 points clear of the underside three.
But speaking after the sport, Liverpool captain van Dijk aimed a dig at his side’s arch-rivals.
‘They do the identical things that they all the time do, they’re very direct, the fight for the primary ball, the second ball,’ he told TNT Sport.
‘Obviously everyone knows that is their cup final and they’re going to try do every thing of their power to make it difficult and take a look at and win.
‘We have now seen it last 12 months, we saw how difficult they made it and this 12 months you see them scoring at the tip. it’s an enormous boost for them but a blow for us.’
Eight yellow cards were dished out on Wednesday night with Liverpool also furious Everton’s equaliser stood, convinced Ibrahima Konate was fouled before Tarkowski’s strike.
Van Dijk blasted Doucoure for ‘scary’ Liverpool supporters but accused referee Oliver of losing control of the sport – making those feelings known to the match official at full-time. ‘
‘We saw how they celebrated the goal and so they have all the correct to. But Doucoure ultimately, wanted to impress our friends. That’s what I saw and Curtis didn’t think that was the correct thing to do.
‘We all know what happens when there’s a bit tussle but I believe the ref didn’t have the sport under control and I said it to him. Each teams must take care of it. We take the purpose and move on.’
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