Virgil van Dijk reveals what he said to Michael Oliver...

Virgil van Dijk told referee Michael Olivier he lost control of an explosive Merseyside derby after aiming a swipe at Everton for turning up in ‘their cup final’. Liverpool were on the brink of going nine points clear at the top of the Premier League thanks to Mohamed Salah’s strike 14 minutes from time in the final derby at Goodison Park before the Toffees move to their new stadium in the summer.

Image Credit: Metro [Everton FC v Liverpool FC - Premier League]

But James Tarkowski’s stunning equaliser deep into added time sparked delirious celebrations for the home fans. The final whistle followed shortly after with more chaos erupting after Abdoulaye Doucoure opted to celebrate in front of the travelling Liverpool supporters, shushing the away fans. Curtis Jones raced over to push the Everton midfielder, sparking a huge melee between both squads. Doucoure and Jones were both sent off after the final whistle with Reds boss Arne Slot and his assistant Sipke Hulshoff also shown red cards in the chaotic finale.

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Since David Moyes’ return to Everton, the Toffees have climbed away from the relegation zone and are now 10 points clear of the bottom three. But speaking after the game, Liverpool captain van Dijk aimed a dig at his side’s arch-rivals. ‘They do the same things that they always do, they are very direct, the fight for the first ball, the second ball,’ he told TNT Sport. ‘Obviously we all know this is their cup final and they will try do everything in their power to make it difficult and try and win.

‘We have seen it last year, we saw how difficult they made it and this year you see them scoring at the end. it’s a big boost for them but a blow for us.’. Eight yellow cards were dished out on Wednesday night with Liverpool also furious Everton’s equaliser stood, convinced Ibrahima Konate was fouled before Tarkowski’s strike. Van Dijk blasted Doucoure for ‘provoking’ Liverpool supporters but accused referee Oliver of losing control of the game – making those feelings known to the match official at full-time. ‘.

‘We saw how they celebrated the goal and they have all the right to. But Doucoure in the end, wanted to provoke our friends. That is what I saw and Curtis didn’t think that was the right thing to do. ‘We know what happens when there is a little tussle but I think the ref didn’t have the game under control and I said it to him. Both teams have to deal with it. We take the point and move on.’.