Criticism of Michael Oliver’s Performance in the Merseyside Derby

On Wednesday, tensions flared during the highly charged Merseyside Derby between Everton and Liverpool at Goodison Park.

The match, which ended with chaos and controversy, drew heavy criticism from a former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official for Michael Oliver’s refereeing decisions.

Controversial Moments and Post-Match Fallout

The game kicked off with Everton’s dramatic equalizer in stoppage time, which resulted in a 2-2 draw.

James Tarkowski’s goal in added time earned Everton a crucial point, but it was what happened after the final whistle that left a lasting impact.

A mass brawl erupted, resulting in four red cards being issued.

Liverpool’s Curtis Jones and Everton’s Abdoulaye Doucoure were among those sent off after a heated exchange, with Doucoure’s celebration in front of Liverpool fans being a key flashpoint.

Following the incident, Liverpool’s captain, Virgil van Dijk, voiced his frustration, suggesting that referee Michael Oliver had completely lost control of the game, especially after additional players were dismissed.

Keith Hackett Weighs In on Oliver’s Mistake

Adding fuel to the fire, former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett pointed out a significant error made by Michael Oliver in the 11th minute of the match.

According to Hackett, Oliver wrongly awarded a free-kick to Everton, leading directly to Beto’s opening goal. He explained, “Liverpool were on the wrong end of a poor decision.

There was no foul, and Oliver got it wrong.

” The free-kick was given after Everton’s Iliman Ndiaye fell to the ground following a tackle from Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister in the middle of the field.

Everton capitalized on the decision, with Jarrad Branthwaite passing to an unmarked Beto, who then scored with a shot that slipped past Liverpool keeper Alisson.

Equalizing and Taking the Lead

Despite the early setback, Liverpool bounced back quickly.

Alexis Mac Allister leveled the score with a header, assisted by Mohamed Salah.

The Reds then took the lead in the 73rd minute thanks to a stunning strike from Salah, who now leads the Premier League’s top scorer chart with 23 goals.

Arne Slot’s Red Card and the Aftermath

As if the match wasn’t chaotic enough, the controversy didn’t end with the final whistle.

Liverpool manager Arne Slot was handed a red card after a heated handshake and exchange of words with referee Michael Oliver.

This means Slot will miss Liverpool’s upcoming match against Wolves, leaving assistant coach John Heitinga to step in temporarily.

This derby will certainly go down in history for its high drama and questionable refereeing decisions.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

Share on Facebook «||» Share on Twitter «||» Share on Reddit «||» Share on LinkedIn