James Tarkowski scored a dramatic last-gasp equaliser and a total of four red cards were brandished after the full-time whistle during a chaotic climax to the last-ever Merseyside derby to be held at Goodison Park.
Jubilant Everton fans spilled onto the pitch after their captain smashed home in the eighth minute of stoppage time to secure a 2-2 draw in Wednesday night’s pulsating rearranged clash, with the goal standing after a long VAR check.
Utter carnage then ensued after the final whistle, with Curtis Jones appearing to take exception to Abdoulaye Doucoure celebrating Everton’s equaliser in front of the travelling Liverpool fans as both players were shown second yellow cards by referee Michael Oliver, who then brandished straight reds for seething Reds boss Arne Slot and his assistant Sipke Hulshoff.
Mohamed Salah looked to have won the game for Liverpool before Tarkowski’s late intervention, firing his 22nd goal of the season past Jordan Pickford against the run of play with 17 minutes remaining, having earlier assisted Alexis Mac Allister’s quick-fire headed equaliser that cancelled out a fine early finish from Beto.
The result in their game in hand means Premier League leaders Liverpool move seven points clear of nearest title rivals Arsenal with 14 matches remaining this term, while Everton are now 10 away from the relegation zone as their resurgence continues under David Moyes despite no shortage of injury problems which worsened with the first-half withdrawal of a tearful Iliman Ndiaye.
More to follow
