Liverpool Stumble in Title Race as Tarkowski’s Late Strike Rescues Everton in Fiery Derby

Liverpool extended their lead at the Premier League summit to seven points, but their Merseyside derby clash at Goodison Park ended in frustration as James Tarkowski’s thunderous late equalizer salvaged a 2-2 draw for Everton. Mohamed Salah’s strike had seemingly put Arne Slot’s side on course for a vital victory, but a chaotic ending saw Abdoulaye Doucoure, Curtis Jones, Slot, and his assistant Sipke Hulshoff all dismissed as tempers flared at the final whistle. The result leaves Liverpool ruing what could be a pivotal slip in their pursuit of a record-equalling 20th English top-flight title.

An Electrifying Goodison Farewell

For Everton, this was more than just a point—it was a statement. With their move to a new 53,000-capacity stadium at Bramley Moore Dock next season, this was the last Merseyside derby to be played at their iconic Goodison Park. And what a farewell it was.

“Mental probably sums it up,” said Everton boss David Moyes, reflecting on an emotional night. “A brilliant finish for us, to score in the last minute in the final Goodison Merseyside derby—it’s fitting.”

Everton had entered the match on a solid run of form, their three-game Premier League winning streak lifting them nine points clear of the relegation zone. However, their momentum had been dented by an FA Cup exit to Bournemouth. Liverpool, on the other hand, had suffered an even more shocking defeat, crashing out of the FA Cup to second-tier Plymouth. Slot, desperate to regain control of the title race, restored his strongest available XI, with Salah and Virgil van Dijk returning to the lineup.

A Blistering Start

The intensity was palpable from the first whistle, and it was Everton who struck first. Liverpool were caught off guard in the 11th minute when Jarrad Branthwaite’s quick free-kick released Beto behind the defense. The striker made no mistake, slotting past Alisson Becker to net his third goal in two league games, sending Goodison Park into delirium.

The early setback could have unsettled Liverpool, but their response was immediate—an attribute of true title contenders. Alexis Mac Allister was at the heart of it, orchestrating a slick move before ghosting into the box to nod home Salah’s teasing cross, leveling the score and silencing the Everton faithful.

The first half soon descended into a scrappy affair, punctuated by a series of fouls and yellow cards. The derby, historically the most ill-disciplined fixture in Premier League history, threatened to boil over once again. Everton suffered a further blow as their creative spark Iliman Ndiaye limped off in tears following a prolonged stoppage.

The home fans thought they had reclaimed the lead when Branthwaite fired in, but their celebrations were short-lived as the offside flag was swiftly raised.

Salah’s Moment of Brilliance

Slot, growing frustrated with his side’s lack of cutting edge, turned to his bench for inspiration. Trent Alexander-Arnold, Jones, and Darwin Nunez were all introduced as Liverpool searched for a winner. The tactical tweaks paid off, and in the 78th minute, Liverpool looked to have found their breakthrough.

Jones and Nunez combined with a neat one-two, and when Branthwaite blocked Jones’ shot, the rebound fell perfectly for Salah. The Egyptian King needed no second invitation, calmly prodding home his 27th goal of the season. The goal sparked wild celebrations among the traveling Reds, who sensed a monumental three points in the title race.

Liverpool had chances to kill the game off, with Salah nearly adding a second, only to be denied by a stunning Jordan Pickford save. That miss would prove costly.

Tarkowski’s Stunning Equalizer and Derby Chaos

As the clock ticked down, Everton refused to accept defeat. A hopeful ball into Liverpool’s box was not dealt with, and it fell invitingly to Tarkowski, who unleashed an unstoppable strike into the top corner. Goodison Park erupted in scenes of unbridled euphoria.

A tense VAR review ensued, assessing whether the goal should stand, while overzealous Everton fans had to be cleared from the pitch before the game could resume. When it did, the match descended into chaos.

Doucoure, who had been instrumental in Everton’s midfield battle, was sent off for excessively celebrating in front of Liverpool’s fans, provoking a furious reaction from Curtis Jones. The Liverpool midfielder retaliated and was also shown a straight red. As tensions continued to rise, Slot and Hulshoff took their protests too far and were both dismissed at the final whistle.

Van Dijk: “Disappointing for Us”

The fallout was immediate. Liverpool captain Van Dijk struggled to hide his disappointment post-match. “Very tough,” he admitted. “We saw the celebrations they had in the end, so we know how much it meant for them, but the fact is it was disappointing for us.”

With Manchester City and Arsenal breathing down their necks in the title race, this was a missed opportunity for Liverpool. Seven points clear at the top might seem a healthy advantage, but in a league where margins are razor-thin, every dropped point counts.

For Everton, the draw will be remembered as one of Goodison’s great derby nights—a final, dramatic farewell to the grand old stadium that has hosted this fierce rivalry for over a century.

Liverpool’s focus must now shift to ensuring that this result does not come back to haunt them in May. If they fail to lift the Premier League trophy, they may well look back at this chaotic evening on Merseyside as the moment their grip on the title loosened.

Elevate your betting experience with SKY247 Nigeria. Join now and discover a thrilling world of sports, live events, and exclusive bonuses. Bet with confidence on your favorite teams and games.