Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk had words with referee Michael Oliver once four were sent off in a fiery Merseyside derby vs Everton
Virgil van Dijk expressed his disappointment towards Merseyside derby referee Michael Oliver. The Liverpool captain told the official he did not have Wednesday’s 2-2 draw with Everton ‘under control’, with Arne Slot and Curtis Jones amongst those sent off after the final whistle was blown.
Believing they were home and dry, taking a nine-point lead in the Premier League title race back to Anfield after a Mohamed Salah strike, Liverpool watched on as Oliver allowed play to continue beyond the five stoppage time minutes because of an injury to Blues defender Jarrad Branthwaite. James Tarkowski, then popped with a powerful volley to draw Everton level at 2-2 with seconds to spare.
“Obviously it is very disappointing to lose it in the last second of the game – or even over extra-time. Listen, it is what it is. It’s not easy to accept it, especially in the manner how, but we take it and move on,” Van Dijk told TNT Sports afterwards.
“It was over extra-time. I think the referee had a big part in the game today in terms of certain challenges, giving a foul or similar didn’t, but in the end it is just disappointing to concede. A very good strike, actually, but a disappointing one.”
Van Dijk was on post-match dutie because Slot was among those shown a red card by Oliver on the pitch amidst the chaotic scenes. It had all started when Curtis Jones scuffled with Abdoulaye Doucoure for deliberately celebrating in front of the Liverpool fans in their small section of Goodison Park.
“They celebrated the goal as they have all the right to but I think Doucoure in the end wanted to provoke our fans. I think that is what I saw. Curtis didn’t think that was the right thing to do then you know what happens when there is a little tussle, or whatever you want to call it,” was Van Dijk’s view of what happened.
Both players were shown a second yellow card to be sent off will be suspended from the upcoming weekend matches.
The Reds’ head coach and his assistant, Sipke Hulshoff, were then shown direct red cards by Oliver after their interaction with the referee. Van Dijk finally had the chance to get a word in, and revealed on air what he discussed.
“I think the ref didn’t have the game under control in my opinion, I said it to him. I don’t know what it is but both teams have to deal with it. Listen, it is what it is. We take a point and move on.”
One of the Premier League’s most experienced officials, Oliver was also challenged with the judgement of a foul in the build-up to Beto’s opener for Everton, plus the call not to send Conor Bradley off with a second booking for a second-half challenge on Doucoure.