Good Things Come to Those Who Wait: The Long-Awaited Merseyside Derby
Good things come to those who wait, and Goodison Park had to wait over two months for a Merseyside derby that almost ripped the Gwladys Street from its foundations. Storm Darragh had threatened to disrupt the fixture in early December, and so the last contest between Liverpool and Everton on the famous old ground was destined to be played under the lights in front of a cacophonous 39,572 supporters. The atmosphere was electric, a perfect backdrop for a game that promised to be a spectacle. David Moyes, in the home dugout due to the meteorological fluke, summed up the rivalry with one word: "Mental." And from Beto’s 11th-minute opener to the triple-red carnage after the final whistle, "mental" hardly does justice to the chaos that unfolded on that Wednesday evening.
Beto and Mac Allister Trade Opening Blows
The match got off to a thrilling start in the 11th minute when Beto’s quick-thinking free-kick routine caught Liverpool off guard. The ball was placed just inside the Liverpool half, and Beto’s perfectly executed strike sneaked past Alisson to give Everton the early lead. TNT Sports co-commentator Ally McCoist praised Beto’s finish, noting, "It’s unbelievably tight. But what about the composed finish? It’s beautiful, because what he does is let it come across him, it opens up the goal, and it’s a beautiful side foot." Liverpool players were initially aggrieved, arguing that Iliman Ndiaye’s foul in the build-up was dubious, but the VAR check found no reason to overturn the goal. The Reds, however, responded swiftly with Alexis Mac Allister’s deft, flicked header just five minutes later. McCoist was equally effusive, describing Mac Allister’s goal: "What a finish! Talk about a midfielder timing a run into the box hoping for a delivery. Everything about this is beautiful. The cross from Salah, but the timing of the run is exquisite. That finish is superb – what a reply."
The Game’s Chaos and Intensity
The intensity of the derby was evident from the outset, with both teams playing with the blood and thunder that the fixture demands. Between Mac Allister’s equaliser and Mohamed Salah’s 73rd-minute strike, six yellow cards were dished out evenly between the sides. At half-time, Steve McManaman reflected on the chaotic nature of the game: "It’s been very, very chaotic. It’s been fight, fight, fight, yellow card, yellow card, fight, fight, fight. You’re waiting for the game to slow down. Hopefully that will come in the second half with a bit of fatigue on the pitch, mentally and physically, and Liverpool can work their magic." Despite the relentless pace, the game did not slow down, but Liverpool eventually found their rhythm and managed to break through with Salah’s clinical finish.
Salah Silences the Raucous Blues
Conor Bradley’s first-half caution forced Arne Slot to make a tactical change, bringing on Curtis Jones, who himself picked up a yellow just two minutes after entering the fray. However, the Englishman proved instrumental in creating Salah’s goal. Playing a precise one-two before forcing Jordan Pickford to parry into the Egyptian’s path, Salah lashed the ball home, putting Liverpool ahead. "It’s him again!" exclaimed the commentator. The goal sent the Liverpool supporters into a frenzy, and the raucous Goodison Park crowd fell momentarily silent. The home team, however, was determined not to let this deficit stand, setting the stage for a dramatic finale.
Tarkowski’s Last-Gasp Equaliser
With the favorites’ name firmly on the scoresheet, the game seemed set for a grand finale, and it came courtesy of the least-likely candidate. In the 98th minute, the ball fell to James Tarkowski, who, without hesitation, let it rip. The veteran center-half’s thunderous volley found the back of the net, sending Goodison Park into a state of euphoria. Tarkowski, who had scored only one league goal per season in his past four campaigns, savored every moment of his rare strike. "The Everton captain will never forget tonight! What an end to one of the most storied rivalries in English football in this iconic stadium," lauded commentator Darren Fletcher. The equaliser was a fitting tribute to the historic nature of the derby, and the Goodison crowd erupted in celebration, with fans even pouring onto the pitch in their excitement.
The Full-Time Fracas
But the drama did not end there. As the final whistle blew, emotions ran high, and the full-time fracas erupted. Liverpool’s players, managers, and supporters were incensed by a possible push on Ibrahima Konate just seconds before Tarkowski’s goal. VAR saw no reason to overturn the on-field decision, and an offside call was a matter of inches in Everton’s favor. The game had already pushed well beyond the 100-minute mark, and the tension was palpable. Abdoulaye Doucoure and Curtis Jones found themselves at each other’s throats, with Jones aggrieved that the midfielder had celebrated by running over to the visiting supporters section. Both players were dragged away and shown second yellow cards, effectively sending them off. Arne Slot and his assistant Sipke Hulshoff were also sent off for their protestations. Rio Ferdinand commented, "Going against opposition fans, I don’t think it’s wrong. But I think the difference is, when it’s a local derby, there’s a respect almost and you know that you’re lighting the touchpaper if you go over near them and that’s what happened today. That’s where I think you draw the line."
A Hollywood Ending
Despite the post-match chaos, both Liverpool and Everton were forced to share a point in the last Merseyside derby at Goodison Park. Phil Jagielka, who had scored a memorable last-minute derby equaliser in 2014, summed up the evening: "It was a Hollywood ending, wasn’t it?" Steve McManaman added, "It was a fitting ending. Going back through history, the dogs of war and all these separate occasions where we’ve gone through the decades of all the players who have graced this field, to have an ending like that, the last-ever derby? You can’t believe how it went." The game was a testament to the enduring intensity and passion of the Merseyside derby, a match that will be remembered for years to come.
