Police were forced to intervene at the end of the final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park as Liverpool’s trip to Everton turned ugly at the end of the match. Four men were sent off after the final whistle after the hosts had scored a 98th-minute equaliser to snatch a point.
As the match came to an end, Everton star Abdoulaye Doucoure ran over to Liverpool fans to celebrate his side’s point.
Reds ace Curtis Jones took exception to the Mali international’s actions as he raced over to confront him. The clash led to a melee as players from both teams sprinted to the scene. And police officers had to get involved to calm the situation.
During the brawl, Jones almost pulled the shirt off Doucoure’s back. And both players were handed their second yellow cards of the evening as they were sent off.
Liverpool boss Arne Slot was then sent off as he remonstrated with referee Michael Oliver. And he was joined by his assistant Sipke Hulshoff, who was also dismissed.
Reds players looked furious after the fracas had dissipated, with the final goal from James Tarkowski being allowed to stand after it was checked by VAR.
Remarking on the brawl, former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand told TNT Sports: “I have been there – Mario Balotelli at Wembley in front of our [United] fans. I was incensed.
“Curtis Jones saw Abdoulaye Doucoure celebrate in front of the Liverpool fans in the away section – he started giving it to the fans and Jones wasn’t happy.”
And ex-Liverpool winger Steve McManaman added: “It is apt really that the last game at Goodison Park is a game like this. Like an old school 80s game.
“There was not a load of quality in the game but it was wild, it had passion, it had fight.
“There were a number of sending offs at the end, people wanted to antagonise each other and fight each other. It was fitting it ended in absolute chaos.”
Liverpool thought they had done enough to clinch the victory after fighting back from a goal down against their bitter rivals.
Beto had opened the scoring for the hosts 11 minutes into the match, before Alexis Mac Allister drew the Reds level five minutes later. Mohamed Salah put the visitors in front courtesy of a fine finish with 17 minutes remaining as Slot’s side appeared to be edging nine points clear of Arsenal at the top of the Premier League table.
But Tarkowski popped up with a leveller at the death as Everton moved 10 points clear of the relegation places.
