Everton manager David Moyes has defended his Liverpool counterpart Arne Slot after his Merseyside derby sending off
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 12: Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool comes on during the Premier League match between Everton FC and Liverpool FC at Goodison Park on February 12, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)
Everton manager David Moyes and Liverpool head coach Arne Slot on the sidelines during Wednesday’s Merseyside derby(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)
Everton manager David Moyes has defended Arne Slot after his Liverpool counterpart was sent off following the last Merseyside derby at Goodison Park. The Liverpool head coach and his assistant Sipke Hulshoff were both red carded following the final whistle on Wednesday.
Moments earlier James Tarkowski had volleyed in a dramatic 98th-minute equaliser to earn Everton a 2-2 draw that sparked scenes of jubilation in the home stands and bedlam on the pitch.
Slot and Hulshoff were given their marching orders by referee Michael Oliver as the Liverpool coaching staff made their displeasure known about the amount of injury-time that was played and the foul they felt the officials missed in the lead up to Tarkowski’s goal.
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Moyes, who returned to Goodison Park in January and has now taken 10 points from his five Premier League games back in charge, is no stranger to Merseyside derbies and the chaos that often accompanies them.
But his opposite number was experiencing one for the first time and, after uncharacteristically losing his composure, the Dutchman could now fan an extended ban.
And Moyes, who at 61 is 15 years Slot’s senior, said: “It was an emotional night; a game where everybody was involved in it. We were playing a really good Liverpool team, who are probably the best team in Europe, certainly the best in our country, at the moment.
“We had to do as good as job as we could to get a result on the night and we just about did it.
“I actually feel a little bit for Arne Slot. When I was a younger manager I was always getting involved in heated things.
“But it also tells me a little bit he cares a lot about his club and he’s fighting for his players. Everybody has to do what they have to do and he was doing that for his team.
“I’ve had plenty of moments, let me tell you, that I’m not proud of. But we all have to fight for our own team.”
Blues midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure and Reds midfielder Curtis Jones were also shown second yellow cards after the final whistle. Jones confronted the latter after he celebrated in front of the travelling supporters.
Doucoure then suffered racist abuse online after the match, which led both clubs to issuing a joint statement.
He will now miss Everton’s trip to Crystal Palace on Saturday while Jones will sit out Liverpool’s home gamer against Wolves on Sunday.
And Moyes said of Doucoure: “I was disappointed in Doucs (getting sent off) because he had played so well in the game. He had done a great job for the team.
“But it still doesn’t mean that people are allowed to abuse you and if that’s the case then it’s completely wrong.
“If Doucs had his time again I don’t think he would have done what he did.”
