Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has accused Everton midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure of deliberately provoking Liverpool fans during a chaotic Merseyside derby that ended in a dramatic 2-2 draw. The match, held at Goodison Park, saw James Tarkowski score a last-minute equalizer for Everton, setting off a series of confrontations on the pitch. Doucoure's celebration in front of the Liverpool supporters incited a response from Curtis Jones, leading to a mass brawl involving players from both teams.

After Tarkowski's equalizer, Doucoure was seen making a shushing gesture towards the Liverpool fans, which prompted Jones to confront him. The ensuing altercation resulted in both players receiving red cards from referee Michael Oliver, along with the dismissals of Liverpool manager Arne Slot and his assistant for their protests. Van Dijk expressed his frustration, stating, "I think Abdoulaye Doucoure wanted to provoke our fans," and criticized the referee's handling of the game, suggesting that the tension was allowed to escalate.

Everton manager David Moyes lamented the loss of Doucoure to suspension for their upcoming match, acknowledging the high emotions that characterized the derby. He praised Doucoure's performance and the electric atmosphere at Goodison Park, emphasizing the significance of the derby to both sets of supporters. The match was a fitting conclusion to the storied rivalry at Goodison Park, leaving fans with a memorable display of passion and intensity as both teams continue their battles in Premier League action.