The Merseyside derby doesn’t usually need much to spark into life but Sunday’s hotly-contested clash at Anfield almost descended into farce during a two-minute period towards the end of the first half when both sets of players confronted the referee, and one player was accused of eye-gouging.
Everton had been surprisingly combative for a team that has leaked goals all season – so poor have they been that they actually started the game in the Premier League relegation zone.
And that defensive attitude appeared to be working, with Liverpool limited to occasional pot-shots during a testy first half where the Reds dominated possession but couldn’t break a ruthless Toffees back line.
It didn’t appear as though a goal would break the deadlock, but tensions very nearly did. With a few minutes before the break Everton forward Richarlison – who had already hit the deck on a number of occasions – went down one time too many for referee Stuart Attwell’s liking and play was waved on.
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In a flash, Abdoulaye Doucoure upended Fabinho with a late challenge and Anfield reached boiling point. Mason Holgate claimed he was hit by Sadio Mane, Allison came storming some 70 yards from his box, and Richarlison continued rolling on the floor as the melee ensued.
Indeed, Mane in particular caused a stir when he appeared to jab his finger in Holgate’s face.
“That’s a gouge,” said former Toffees striker Kevin Campbell at half-time. “It’s gouging in the eye.
“But the referee didn’t see it, so let’s get on with it. It’s one of the games where the temperature has gone up.”
Jamie Carragher said of the incident: “That’s just stupid, Sadio Mane doesn’t needs to get involved. Doucoure’s already been booked and everyone just comes together.”
Both sets of players made their cases to Attwell, claiming various harms and inflictions, but the referee kept his composure and booked only Doucoure and Mane.
Everton had been struggling for possession up to that point, with Liverpool dominating both the ball and territory, but to little effect. Richarlison, meanwhile, cut a lone figure up top and laboured to hold up the ball.
“Get up, carry on,” said Carragher, a boyhood Everton fan who spent his entire playing career at Liverpool, from his Sky Sports co-commentary position when the Brazilian went down moments before half time. “There’s nothing wrong with him.”
On the subsequent Doucoure challenge that sparked the melee, Carragher said: “Doucoure gets a yellow card because Richarlison goes down. It’s stupid from Doucoure.
“That challenge has come from frustration. Maybe it’s a little bit harsh on him. Doucoure, an important player, now has a yellow card.”
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