Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk says it was additionally going to be tough to beat Everton of their “cup closing.”
The Reds and Toffees performed out a thriller within the closing conflict at Goodison Park earlier than Everton transfer into their new stadium subsequent season.
Liverpool had a 2-1 lead heading into the ultimate seconds of the match, however have been surprised by a late, late James Tarkowski volley within the 98th minute, regardless of there solely being 5 added on initially.
An extended VAR assessment then allowed the purpose to face, sparking chaos on and off the pitch.
Because the full-time whistle blew, Abdoulaye Doucoure sprinted over and celebrated in entrance of the travelling Liverpool help, and was carefully adopted by a livid Curtis Jones, who bought right into a scrap with the midfielder.
It resulted in each gamers being despatched off, with Arne Slot additionally being proven a pink for some phrases mentioned to referee Michael Oliver after the whistle.
“Everyone knows that is their cup closing.”
Virgil van Dijk reacts to Liverpool’s draw at Goodison Park 🗣
🎙 @JulesBreach | 📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/NMM1fLRNk7
— Soccer on TNT Sports activities (@footballontnt) February 12, 2025
Reflecting on the sport, Van Dijk admitted it was a tricky night time however Everton have been at all times going to make it robust in what he known as their greatest sport of the season.
He mentioned: “Intense, it was at all times going to be intense. A whole lot of battles. Very disappointing to concede within the final second of the sport, and even over additional time, however it’s what it’s. It isn’t straightforward to simply accept it, particularly within the method how, however we take it and transfer on.
“I feel the referee had a giant half within the sport at the moment when it comes to sure challenges got as fouls and related weren’t. In the long run it’s simply disappointing to concede an excellent strike, however a disappointing one.
“That is their cup closing and they might attempt to do every thing of their energy to make it tough for us. It’s a huge increase for them however a blow for us.
“Now we have a variety of video games up till the worldwide break. Now we have put ourselves in an excellent place and that’s right down to laborious work, high quality and consistency. We simply have to take a look at ourselves, don’t take a look at what others do, simply attempt to give attention to ourselves and be one of the best model of ourselves.
“Now we have put ourselves in a very good place, let’s preserve going.”
Van Dijk additionally commented on the tussle between Jones and Doucoure, as soon as once more pointing the finger at referee Oliver.
He added: “We noticed how they celebrated the purpose, they’ve all the appropriate to.
“I feel Abdoulaye Doucoure wished to impress our followers, I feel that’s what I noticed and Curtis Jones didn’t assume it was the appropriate factor to do. After which what occurs if there’s a little tussle.
“I didn’t assume the referee had the sport below management. Each groups needed to take care of it.”
