‘This is their cup final’

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk says it was also going to be difficult to beat Everton in their “cup final.”

The Reds and Toffees played out a thriller in the final clash at Goodison Park before Everton move into their new stadium next season.

Liverpool had a 2-1 lead heading into the final seconds of the match, but were stunned by a late, late James Tarkowski volley in the 98th minute, despite there only being five added on initially.

A long VAR review then allowed the goal to stand, sparking chaos on and off the pitch.

As the full-time whistle blew, Abdoulaye Doucoure sprinted over and celebrated in front of the travelling Liverpool support, and was closely followed by a furious Curtis Jones, who got into a scrap with the midfielder.

It resulted in both players being sent off, with Arne Slot also being shown a red for some words said to referee Michael Oliver after the whistle.

“We all know this is their cup final.”

Virgil van Dijk reacts to Liverpool’s draw at Goodison Park 🗣

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Reflecting on the game, Van Dijk admitted it was a tough night but Everton were always going to make it tough in what he called their biggest game of the season.

He said: “Intense, it was always going to be intense. A lot of battles. Very disappointing to concede in the last second of the game, or even over extra time, but it is what it is. It isn’t easy to accept it, especially in the manner how, but we take it and move on.

“I think the referee had a big part in the game today in terms of certain challenges were given as fouls and similar weren’t. In the end it is just disappointing to concede a very good strike, but a disappointing one.

“This is their cup final and they would try to do everything in their power to make it difficult for us. It is a big boost for them but a blow for us.

“We have a lot of games up until the international break. We have put ourselves in a very good position and that is down to hard work, quality and consistency. We just have to look at ourselves, don’t look at what others do, just try to focus on ourselves and be the best version of ourselves.

“We have put ourselves in a good position, let’s keep going.”

Van Dijk also commented on the tussle between Jones and Doucoure, once again pointing the finger at referee Oliver.

He added: “We saw how they celebrated the goal, they have all the right to.

“I think Abdoulaye Doucoure wanted to provoke our fans, I think that is what I saw and Curtis Jones didn’t think it was the right thing to do. And then you know what happens if there is a little tussle.

“I didn’t think the referee had the game under control. Both teams had to deal with it.”