Goodison Park derby finale descends into chaos, handing Liverpool a clear warning ahead of title race run-in.

While some football fans speculated of an upset for the near faultless Reds in the final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park, there was also perhaps an underlying expectation that the league leaders would overpower their 14th-placed Premier League rivals.

Salah had proven to be the difference maker on many occasions this season for the Reds, saving Slot from replicating Pep Guardiola’s concerning scratches which he bears during the post-capitulation conferences.

However, Slot’s growing frustration and wild gesticulations throughout the Merseyside derby certainly reflected those routinely performed by his Manchester City counterpart.

The Liverpool boss was also seen conferring with the fourth official, Tony Harrington on numerous occasions. However, with no greater exasperation than following the VAR confirmation of James Tarkowski’s last gasp equaliser.

It seemed Salah was to momentarily soothe Slot’s temper when he put the Reds 2-1 ahead, adding his name to a derby scoreline for the eighth time. The 73rd-minute strike from the Egyptian seemed an ominous sign over Merseyside skies that Liverpool would claim yet another victory.

The physicality of the affair seemed, however, to have taken the players’ focus away from the result as proceedings transpired into a series of tactical fouls, game management, and ultimately discomfort for the league leaders.

The physical nature of derby encounters appears to be born, it should be noted, from the expectation placed upon players’ shoulders to embody the demands and characteristics of such a match. This too seems to be married with the utmost importance of proving the triumphant outfit, demonstrated by the stories of glory etched into the yellow stained history books.

While the hotly contested match offered neither side a promising chance of scoring late on to send the atmosphere into an even higher level of hostility, the Toffees were treated to the sweetest of strikes in additional time from Tarkowski.

The centre-back’s screamer of a volley past Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker provided a sickly blow to the heart of Slot’s side and the 3,000 travelling fans. Those of whom grasped at their red and white shirts in a frustrated demonstration, while the previous night would have dreamt of brushing aside their bitter derby rivals. 

Meanwhile, the Evertonians’ own hopes of derailing Liverpool’s upward trajectory toward the title had been signed, sealed and delivered quite surprisingly- but equally aptly- by Tarkowski: their epitome of consistency in the Everton backline since his arrival at Goodison Park in the summer of 2022.

The moment of pure magic was to be suspended in the minds of the Everton fans for minutes which may have felt like hours, as they anxiously awaited the eventual confirmation of the goal by VAR.

The decision that Abdoulaye Doucouré was indeed onside in the build-up was not the piece of play which caught the attention of the Liverpool manager most: rather it was a debatable push on Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konaté from Everton’s Beto.

The apparent absence of a VAR examination for the striker’s soft shove evidently struck a definitive nerve in Slot, who immediately engaged in a fiery exchange with fourth official Harrington.

The outburst to steal the limelight away from the Dutchman came just after the full-time whistle from the young Liverpudlian, Curtis Jones.

Evidently provoked by Doucouré’s mocking acts of celebration aimed at the away supporters, Jones ran over and shoved the Malian international. Everton’s Ashley Young and Carlos Alcaraz ran after Jones, engaging in the tussle before further players too involved themselves in the brawl.

Numerous police officers and stewards tried to break up what had become an unsavoury sight, while referee Michael Oliver soon intervened and brandished a second yellow and subsequent red for Jones.

Doucouré was seen further taunting the Reds as he headed to soak up the celebrations with the fans, this time in blue.

The apparent pantomime villain mimicked blabbering mouths with his hands and held his finger to his lips in the direction of Liverpool captain Virgil Van Dijk, causing a stir as the curtains closed on Goodison Park’s final Merseyside derby.

As most plays go however, the villain didn’t escape unscathed with Doucouré soon becoming victim to the well-established trope, as Oliver produced a second yellow card and then a conclusive red for the midfielder.

Van Dijk did well not to react to the menacing Doucouré, however, his manager was soon the third to be dismissed as Slot received a straight red for his sarcastic language and handshake with the referee.

Amongst the chaos, Liverpool assistant manager, Sipke Hulshoff was additionally dealt a red card.

If the on-pitch punishments are to be enforced, Slot and Hulshoff may miss the Aston Villa match on Wednesday, followed by an away trip to Manchester City next Sunday.

This would prove a a far from ideal situation for the Reds due to the form of which both of their upcoming opponents take. 

Aston Villa place 9th in the league table following a disappointing 1-1 draw against 10-men Ipswich Town on the weekend, of which they will be looking to make amends for against the Reds.

Meanwhile, Manchester City produced an emphatic display as hosts to Newcastle, advancing them into the top four despite producing one of their worst league campaigns since Guardiola’s arrival.

In the potential absence of their manager and assistant manager, the crucial task of instructing the Liverpool players from the sidelines for the two fixtures could fall to assistant-coach John Heitinga. 

For Liverpool fans, they will hope their coaching staff and players have learnt a valuable lesson about controlling their emotions, a message arguably handed to them in the form of a self-destructive version of pass the parcel by their derby rivals. 

Liverpool simply cannot become wrapped up in an energetic and physical affair which slips away from their control.

Arguably the microcosm for the game’s wider frenetic proceedings was the manner of which Liverpool conceded the late equaliser.

In injury time following the five additional minutes, Liverpool defenders were drawn to the incoming Tim Iroegbunam, leaving Tarkowski to drift into the box and produce a peach of a volley, all while unchallenged.   

Everton’s blueprint of frustrating the Reds and inviting them to engage in a physical battle is something of which other sides could look to replicate in the coming weeks. 

Wolves certainly threatened late when they increased the intensity and had space to stride into with Cunha at the helm of their attacks. The anxiety was palpable from both the Anfield crowd and Liverpool players as Wolves pushed for a late leveller, eerily similar to the Everton match of which the Reds were punished at the hands of Tarkowski.

Liverpool’s backline managed to keep the wolves at bay for just long enough to secure the crucial three points, however tougher challenges lie ahead with Aston Villa and Manchester City.

The Reds’ predominant title rivals Arsenal will be hoping for Liverpool to falter in these matches, as the Gunners sit seven points adrift of the top spot.

Arsenal will hope to continue proving victorious against their unfavourable injury situation in forward areas, as to gain any ground Liverpool may relinquish. 

What was therefore once seemingly a foregone conclusion, as Slot’s side set off at an insurmountable pace, is now very much an enticing title race with 39 points from 13 matches still for the taking.