The brutally honest verdict Virgil van Dijk gave to Michael Oliver after chaotic Liverpool draw at Everton
Posted By Joe E
February 13, 2025
12:00 am
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Liverpool and Everton played out a dramatic 2-2 draw in the final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park on Wednesday night.
The Reds found themselves a goal down early on as Beto struck for the Toffees in the 11th minute.
However, Alexis Mac Allister equalised for Liverpool on 16 minutes before Mohamed Salah had the Reds in front on 73 minutes.
It looked as though the Reds had done enough to see out a 2-1 win, only for James Tarkowski to send Goodison into raptures with a late goal.
A cross from the left found its way to the feet of the Everton captain, who thumped home on the volley to claim a share of the spoils.
There was further drama as Arne Slot, his assistant, and two players – one on each side – were sent off late on.
Virgil van Dijk spoke about the late controversy, shared what he thought of Michael Oliver’s performance, and also shared what he told him.
Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images
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Virgil van Dijk claims Michael Oliver ‘didn’t have the game under control’
Van Dijk, speaking to TNT Sports after the game, said Abdoulaye Doucoure “wanted to provoke” the Reds fans with his celebration towards the away end.
Curtis Jones confronted Doucoure as he thought what the Everton man did “wasn’t the right thing to do”, according to Van Dijk.
The Liverpool captain then said Oliver “didn’t have the game under control” and admitted he told him as much.
“They are entitled to celebrate the goal,” began Van Dijk.
“But Doucoure wanted to provoke our fans and Curtis thought that wasn’t the right thing to do. Then there was a tussle.
“The referee didn’t have the game under control, I said that to him. It is a factor. Both teams had to deal with it.”
Why Slot was sent off
Arne Slot was among those sent off, and Sky Sports journalist Lewis Jones explained why the Liverpool boss was so angry at the final whistle.
Jones explained how Liverpool were angry at Oliver’s decision not to award the Reds a foul when Beto pushed Ibrahima Konate in the build-up to the goal.
“In the drama of it all, Liverpool are fuming at the decision not to award a foul from Beto for a push on Konate,” Jones said on Sky Sports.
“That’s why Arne Slot was raging at full-time and was shown a red card. It’s such a big moment for many, many reasons.”
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