Liverpool's lead extends to seven points in a tempestuous 2-2 draw at Everton

Everton held Liverpool to a dramatic 2-2 draw at Goodison Park, with late chaos, red cards, and Tarkowski’s last-gasp volley denting Liverpool’s hopes

Everton's Abdoulaye Doucoure and Curtis Jones slug it out after the former celebrated in front of the Liverpool fans at full time. Both players received their marching orders and the game ended 2-2. (Photo credit: GOAL)

Liverpool’s hope of opening a nine-point gap at the top of the Premier League received a huge dent on Wednesday as a last-gasp volley from Everton’s James Tarkowski ruined their script.

In the last Merseyside derby at Goodison Park, Everton raced to an early lead, which was soon taken from them by a swift Alexis Mac Allister header, right after Beto handed the hosts a lead, setting up a sweet game in front of the Goodison Park fans.

Liverpool’s surge at the top of the log has been built on Arne Slot’s calm demeanour, his conservative style, and assured attacking flow; however, more than half of that was challenged at Everton after the game ended in brawls, which saw four red cards issued by referee Michael Oliver.

Curtis Jones took an exception to Abdoulaye Doucoure’s post-match celebration in front of the travelling fans after Tarkowski’s leveller late on; the England midfielder’s indiscretion led to a fracas, which involved both benches, and Jones, Doucoure, Arne Slot, and his assistant Sipke Hulshoff saw red.

Liverpool captain Virgil Van Dijk insists the game ended the way it did because the referee couldn’t control the game. While he doesn’t have any problem with Everton celebrating the way they deemed fit, Van Dijk thinks Oliver could have managed the game better.

"Obviously you saw how they celebrated the goal, and they have every right to," the centre-back told TNT Sports. "I think Doucouré in the end wanted to provoke our fans, and Curtis didn't think that was the right thing to do, and obviously you know what happens when there is a tussle.

"I think the ref didn't have the game under control, in my opinion ... Both teams have to deal with it. It is what it is. We just need to move on." The 2-2 draw extended Liverpool’s advantage at the top to seven points, but the Kops would have expected nine, especially after leading 2-1 through Mohammed Salah.

"It was right up there, and it was great at the end, and I think the night was maybe meant for something to happen," Moyes told TNT Sports. "It wasn't the cleanest; it wasn't the best game of football you've ever watched, but it was a wee bit of a throwback, a bit scrappy from both sides.

"I mean, it was more important that we probably made it that way. Liverpool are an incredibly talented team and are proving it in the league this year. So we had to find a way of making that gap not so big tonight, and I thought we've done a good job at it."