Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk voiced his frustration with referee Michael Oliver following Wednesday’s dramatic 2-2 draw against Everton.
Van Dijk claimed Oliver did not have the Merseyside derby “under control,” with manager Arne Slot and midfielder Curtis Jones among those sent off after the final whistle.
Liverpool thought they had secured all three points when Mohamed Salah’s late goal put them ahead, extending their lead in the Premier League title race to nine points.
However, Oliver allowed play to continue beyond the allotted five minutes of stoppage time due to an injury to Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite.
In the dying moments, James Tarkowski struck a powerful volley to snatch a point for the Toffees, leaving Liverpool frustrated.
“Obviously it is very disappointing to lose it in the last second of the game – or even over extra-time. Listen, it is what it is. It’s not easy to accept it, especially in the manner how, but we take it and move on,” Van Dijk told TNT Sports afterwards.
“It was over extra-time.
“I think the referee had a big part in the game today in terms of certain challenges, giving a foul or similar didn’t, but in the end it is just disappointing to concede.
“A very good strike, actually, but a disappointing one.”
The 33-year-old added: “They celebrated the goal as they have all the right to but I think Doucoure in the end wanted to provoke our fans.
“I think that is what I saw. Curtis didn’t think that was the right thing to do then you know what happens when there is a little tussle, or whatever you want to call it.
“I think the ref didn’t have the game under control in my opinion, I said it to him.
“I don’t know what it is but both teams have to deal with it. Listen, it is what it is.
“We take a point and move on.”
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