The final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park delivered all the drama and intensity expected of this historic rivalry, as Everton’s James Tarkowski struck deep into stoppage time to deny Liverpool a famous victory. But the match’s biggest talking point came after the final whistle, as Abdoulaye Doucouré’s controversial celebration sparked a mass confrontation, leading to red cards for Doucouré, Curtis Jones, and Liverpool manager Arne Slot.
Tarkowski’s Last-Minute Heroics Steal the Show
The highly anticipated final derby at Goodison began at a frantic pace, with Everton drawing first blood after just 11 minutes. A quickly taken free-kick caught Liverpool’s defense off guard, and Beto finished coolly past Alisson to send the home crowd into raptures.
However, Liverpool wasted little time responding. Mohamed Salah’s pinpoint cross found Alexis Mac Allister, whose well-placed header found the far corner in the 16th minute to level the score.
From then on, the game settled into a familiar pattern—Liverpool dominating possession, while Everton held firm. The Reds struggled to carve out clear chances, the closest being a powerful effort from Dominik Szoboszlai, which Jordan Pickford smothered before halftime.
Salah Fires Liverpool Ahead – Before the Late Twist
Everton came out sharper in the second half, forcing Arne Slot to turn to his bench. Trent Alexander-Arnold and Curtis Jones were introduced, with Darwin Núñez and Kostas Tsimikas following later.
The changes appeared to pay off when, in the 73rd minute, Liverpool took the lead. Núñez set up Jones for a shot that was blocked, but the rebound fell perfectly for Salah, who made no mistake in smashing home to put the visitors 2-1 up.
It looked like the perfect farewell win for Liverpool at Goodison—until Tarkowski’s moment of brilliance. In the seventh minute of stoppage time, the Everton defender pounced on a loose ball at the edge of the box and rifled an unstoppable shot into the top corner, sending the home fans into pandemonium.
Doucouré Sparks Chaos at the Final Whistle
As Goodison erupted in celebration, Doucouré turned to the away section and aggressively shushed the Liverpool supporters, igniting fury among the Reds players. Curtis Jones immediately confronted the Everton midfielder, and within seconds, a heated brawl broke out near the center of the pitch.
Coaches and players from both teams rushed in, with tempers flaring between rival staff. In the midst of the melee, Liverpool manager Arne Slot clashed with Everton personnel, leading to his dismissal alongside Doucouré and Jones, both shown straight reds for violent conduct.
What This Means for Liverpool and Everton
The draw leaves Liverpool seven points clear at the top of the Premier League, but the fallout from the post-match incident means they will now be without Jones and Slot for upcoming fixtures. Everton, while celebrating a hard-fought point, will also be without Doucouré due to suspension.
The final Goodison Park derby was already set to be historic—but with high drama, a last-minute goal, and post-match chaos, it will go down as one of the most unforgettable encounters in Merseyside derby history.
Match Details
Goals:
Everton: Beto (11’), Tarkowski (90+7’)
Liverpool: Mac Allister (16’), Salah (73’)
Red Cards (Post-Match): Arne Slot, Abdoulaye Doucouré, Curtis Jones
Next Fixture: Liverpool vs Wolves – February 16,
Goodison Park has seen countless fiery Merseyside derbies, but none quite like this.
