Everton vs Liverpool as it happened: Dramatic Merseyside derby ends in chaos after four red cards

Evening Standard

·13 February 2025

Everton vs Liverpool as it happened: Dramatic Merseyside derby ends in chaos after four red cards

Flurry of dismissals after post-match brawl that followed James Tarkowski’s last-gasp equaliser

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The last-ever Merseyside derby between Everton and Liverpool to be held at Goodison Park was certainly one to remember. James Tarkowski became a Toffees hero with his emphatic last-gasp volleyed equaliser that snatched a dramatic late point for the hosts against their fiercest rivals in Wednesday night’s rearranged clash, after the irrepressible Mohamed Salah’s 22nd Premier League goal of the season against the run of play looked to have the leaders on course for a victory to bounce back from their FA Cup upset by Plymouth and move nine points clear of Arsenal in the title race.

Salah had earlier broken the record for the most number of goal involvements in away matches in a single season in Premier League history for providing the cross from which Alexis Mac Allister headed home to quickly cancel out a fine early strike from Beto. Chaos and mayhem ensued after Tarkowski’s heroics at Goodison that led to fans streaming onto the pitch, with no fewer than four red cards dished out by referee Michael Oliver in wild scenes.

A mass brawl broke out that saw police and stewards intervene, with Curtis Jones taking exception to Abdoulaye Doucoure celebrating in front of the away fans as they were both shown second yellow cards before straight reds were also issued to Arne Slot and his assistant Sipke Hulshoff, with Liverpool feeling that Tarkowski’s goal - which stood after a long VAR check for offside - should have been disallowed for a challenge on Ibrahima Konate by Beto.