Exclusive: Liverpool and Everton charges due as Arne Slot sent off by Michael Oliver
Liverpool and Everton will both be charged for failing to control their players amid chaotic scenes at the end of the Merseyside derby, Keith Hackett has said.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that both Abdoulaye Doucoure and Curtis Jones were rightly sent off for their part in the incidents that happened at full time.
It was a dramatic final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park on Wednesday night (12 February), which began when Beto gave Everton a controversial lead over Liverpool after just ten minutes.
Arne Slot‘s side then turned things around to lead 2-1 thanks to goals from Alexis Mac Allister and Mo Salah.
However, it was a stoppage time equaliser from James Tarkowski for the hosts that sparked the most significant controversy.
Everton vs Liverpool ends in ill-tempered drama
With Tarkowski scoring deep into second half stoppage time to earn the Toffees a point, the goal was given after a long VAR check to assess if a foul or offside had occurred in the build-up.
It was at that point that things then began to boil over as the game drew to a conclusion at Goodison Park.
As the home fans celebrated that result at full-time, Doucoure – who had angered Everton fans for his part in the goals they conceded – instead celebrated in front of the away end housing the Liverpool fans.
That prompted an angry reaction from Reds midfielder Jones, and as the two clashed on the pitch, players and officials from both teams then also became involved.
Both Doucoure and Jones were shown red cards by referee Michael Oliver for their part in causing the clashes between the two teams.
Liverpool boss Arne Slot was then also dismissed by Oliver for his remonstrations, and Hackett has now given his reaction to those incidents.
Keith Hackett reacts to fiery Merseyside drama conclusion
Speaking to Football Insider about what happened as that clash between Everton and Liverpool drew to a close, the former referee said:
“Curtis Jones, clearly upset, decided to get involved and he finished up with a second yellow followed by red.
“With the game over the Liverpool manager approached Oliver and a conversation resulted in Slot getting a straight red card. Both teams will be charged with failing to control their players.
“A terrific game marred by a loss of discipline by several players caught up in the passion of a Merseyside Derby.”
Following that draw Liverpool are now seven points clear at the top of the Premier League table. Everton meawhile are 15th in the standings, ten points clear of the relegation zone.