Everton scored an astonishing 98th-minute equaliser to snatch a 2-2 draw in the Merseyside derby against Liverpool. Mo Salah looked to have made it a winning final trip to Goodison Park for Liverpool, as the Premier League leaders were 2-1 up at the death. Everton had taken the lead in the 11th minute through Beto but his well-worked goal was quickly cancelled out, as Salah set up Alexis Mac Allister.
Arne Slot's side turned the screw in the second half and pinball in the box led to Salah's goal in the 73rd minute. But James Tarkowski, Everton's captain, blasted in a late, late equaliser which led to sheer pandemonium and a pitch invasion. Wednesday's match marked the last ever Merseyside derby to be played at Goodison Park. The teams went into the fixture having each won 41 of their meetings at the grand old stadium which come August will be Everton's former home - and they're on course to remain a Premier League club under David Moyes.
Here are five talking points from Goodison Park. There was one major talking point when the team news came in: Trent Alexander-Arnold was benched. The Liverpool star had been dealing with an injury which he suffered at Bournemouth, ruling him out of the Reds' next two games. Having returned to training, Alexander-Arnold was only given a place on the bench here, as Conor Bradley was preferred at right-back. Alexander-Arnold's absence meant that Liverpool fielded a starting XI in the Premier League without an Englishman for the first time in their history.
The England star didn't night have the night off, though, as Bradley's shaky performance and the fact he narrowly avoided a second yellow card just before the hour mark saw Slot turn to Alexander-Arnold. A quick warm-up down the touchline and he was on. After a raucous reception coming out of the tunnel, Everton needed to harness the early Goodison excitement - and capitalise on any Liverpool nerves. When the Toffees were given a contentious free-kick nearly the halfway line, not many would've expected it to result directly in a goal.
But Jarrad Branthwaite, a confident ball-playing centre-back, saw team-mate Beto make a smart run off Virgil van Dijk and picked him out perfectly with an excellent pass. The Portuguese striker allowed the ball to come across his body and when Alisson Becker came rushing out, Beto slid the ball around him and sent Goodison wild. Their joy, however, was only short-lived. Liverpool drew level five minutes through Alexis Mac Allister, whose late run was spotted by Mo Salah. Mac Allister wouldn't have played if this fixture went ahead on its original date in December, as he was suspended. It was game on after a blistering start.
On a night full of emotion, the first tears shed were from Everton winger Iliman Ndiaye. An innocuous foul from Dominik Szoboszlai resulted in his early substitution and judging by his reaction, it's serious. Holding his knee and putting his shirt of his head, a devastated Ndiaye limped off and his bright start to life under David Moyes appears to be over. The former Marseille and Sheffield United star had scored three goals in three Premier League games before limping off.
It became a real scrap after his substitution, with Everton picking up three yellow cards in 13 minutes before half-time. Liverpool also received two yellows, with full-backs Andy Robertson and Bradley going in the book of referee Michael Oliver. The second half was finely poised. Seconds after Liverpool made a double change in the 61st minute, a long ball forward came off the arm of Ibrahima Konate as he battled Beto. The home crowd instantly appealed but replays showed that the Frenchman didn't know much about it and his arm was in a natural position.
"There is no doubt about it that the ball hits Konate's arm," Ally McCoist said on commentary for TNT Sports. "But it is not a penalty for me. His hand is in a natural position.". Liverpool then had a penalty shout of their own four minutes later. Szoboszlai had gone tumbling over following a slight touch from Everton left-back Vitalii Mykolenko. Rio Ferdinand described the Liverpool star's appeals and the fact he stayed down as 'embarrassing'.
Should Everton have been given a penalty? Have your say in the comments section. They've been slick and they've been stylish under Slot, but Liverpool's scrappy goal late on felt just as sweet for those travelling fans. After a long spell of Liverpool possession, aided by Alexander-Arnold's introduction, led to Luis Diaz whipping in a cross which was only half-cleared by James Tarkowski. Curtis Jones between Jake O'Brien to the ball and although his shot after a one-two-with Darwin Nunez was headed away by Branthwaite, Salah was lurking at the back post and the ball dropped perfectly. Liverpool's talisman finished with ease, scoring his 27th goal of the season and seemingly sending the Reds nine points clear of Arsenal at the top of the table.
