Liverpool’s loss of control before the final whistle, however, was not normal for an Arne Slot team, though it also fuelled the anger that exploded on their final trip across Stanley Park.
Liverpool’s loss of composure after the final whistle at a boiling Goodison Park was absolutely normal, according to Virgil van Dijk.
Leaders must listen to their captain Van Dijk and set aside their derby anger quickly with four league games in 11 days .
There was comfort amid the mayhem of the last Merseyside derby at Goodison for Liverpool in the form of a seven-point lead over striker-less Arsenal at the top of the Premier League.
There were also questions to be asked of Liverpool’s second successive below-par performance at the home of their oldest rivals.
