Michael Oliver dished out a flurry of red cards at full time after Everton vs Liverpool(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)

The Premier League has endorsed Michael Oliver’s contentious issuing of four red cards following the explosive full-time scenes at Wednesday’s electric draw between Everton and Liverpool.

In a showdown that will be remembered as an instant Merseyside derby classic, the arch-enemies battled to a gripping 2-2 stalemate, culminating with James Tarkowski’s dramatic stoppage-time equaliser for Everton. Liverpool’s manager Arne Slot and his right-hand-man Sipke Hulshoff were incensed by the decision to let Tarkowski’s last-gasp goal stand.Despite VAR examinations for potential foul play or offside in the lead-up to Everton’s late goal, the system confirmed the on-pitch ruling. The official statement from the Premier League declared: “The referee’s call of goal was checked and confirmed by the VAR, who established that Doucoure was in an onside position in the build-up.”The aftermath saw both Slot and Hulshoff heatedly engage with referee Oliver, resulting in red cards for the managerial pair. Prior to their dismissals, tensions had flared into an all-out scrap involving players from both sides after Everton’s Abdoulaye Doucoure antagonised visiting supporters.

Curtis Jones of Liverpool reacted by pushing Doucoure, igniting further skirmishes among the players, reports the Mirror. As police and stewards scrambled to defuse the chaos, things took a darker turn when a projectile from the crowd struck Everton keeper Jordan Pickford.

Arne Slot was sent off by Michael Oliver after the Merseyside derby(Image: Carl Recine)

Subsequently, Jones and Doucoure received their marching orders, with these decisions now receiving the Premier League’s full backing. A statement said: “The referee issued second yellow cards and red cards to Curtis Jones and Abdoulaye Doucoure following an altercation after the final whistle. Arne Slot and his assistant Sipke Hulshoff were also shown straight red cards after the final whistle.”Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk, stepping in for a silenced Arne Slot due to the latter’s sending-off, gave an initial reaction filled with criticism towards Everton’s player Doucoure. “This is their cup final. We saw it last year, and this year it’s a big blow. Doucoure wanted to provoke our fans. Curtis didn’t think that was the right thing to do. I think the referee didn’t have the game in control; I said that to him,” vented Van Dijk.

Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool and Ashley Young of Everton surround referee Michael Oliver after the late equaliser(Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images)

“It was a very big provocation from one certain player. We all saw it and reacted as a team as we were able to do. You know what happens nowadays, it becomes one big tussle. Then it is not me who has to deal with it, it is the referee and today I am not sure he had it fully under control.”On the other side, Everton manager David Moyes expressed disappointment with Doucoure’s behaviour but couldn’t hide his joy over snatching a point from their rivals. “Mental probably sums it up. A brilliant finish for us, to finish the last Goodison Merseyside derby and score in the last minute is in a way fitting. [Tarkowski] had the quality which was the one that really mattered,” he reflected to TNT Sports.”I’m disappointed with Doucoure because we need him, we’re down on numbers at the moment. We’ve got to be careful what we do. Discipline is never easy sometimes in these games and tonight was a game where quite easily sending offs happen.”