Everton defender James Tarkowski scored in the 90+8 minute to earn Everton a dramatic 2-2 draw. Earlier, Mac Allister and Salah scored for Liverpool. Everton's other goal belonged to striker Beto. This result still helped Liverpool lead the Premier League, with 7 points more than Arsenal.
The match ended in chaos as referee Oliver showed red cards to Everton's Abdoulaye Doucoure and Liverpool's Curtis Jones. Coach Arne Slot and assistant Sipke Hulshoff were also sent off for their complaints to the referee.
“Everyone could see how Everton celebrated their goal and they had every right to do so. I think Doucoure wanted to provoke our fans and Curtis wanted to stop that, so there was a fight.
“I think the referee lost control of the game. Both teams have to deal with it. That’s how it was. We have to move on from this game,” Van Dijk said after the match.
The match against Everton is the first of five top-flight games in 15 days for Liverpool, with subsequent games against Wolves, Man City, Aston Villa and Newcastle.
Van Dijk continued: “I think we have put ourselves in a very good position and that is down to hard work, quality and consistency. I encourage everyone to just look at themselves, try to win every game coming up and not look at what other people are doing and what other teams are trying to do.
We just need to focus on ourselves, try to be the best version of ourselves and get three points in every upcoming match.”
Everton manager David Moyes said the emotions in the stadium were a fitting end to the final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park, although he made no mention of the brawl after the final whistle.
“It was a great finish for us,” he said. “To play the last Merseyside derby at Goodison Park and score in the last minute, it was very fitting given the circumstances of the game.
Everton wanted to win but when the score was 1-2 to Liverpool, I thought we wouldn't be able to come back. But we worked hard and kept fighting.
We probably had more effort in the second half than the first but maybe didn't have enough quality to win. But Tarky scored the equaliser, which was really important. History will remember that."
