Everton v Liverpool: ‘Woe-is-me tale’ shared after Merseyside Derby drama
Everton secured a late point against Liverpool in what was one of the most dramatic Merseyside derbies in recent memory at Goodison Park.
It is safe to say that the final clash between the Blues and the Reds at the Grand Old Lady did not disappoint as James Tarkowski smashed home a late equaliser.
This sparked wild scenes in the stands just moments before it kicked off on the pitch as Curtis Jones and Abdoulaye Doucoure were shown a red card.
Arne Slot was also given his marching orders by Michael Oliver as supporters inside Goodison got their fair share of action for the cost of their ticket.
Given that this all happened in the final stages and even beyond the full-time whistle, it is the fans who left early who have missed out.
Ian Ladyman sorry for early exits at Everton v Liverpool
The Toffees’ supporters should know by now that nothing is simple being an Evertonian and that anything is possible that late in a game.
Usually, it feels like these sorts of moments go against the Goodison club but in a historic Merseyside Derby clash, it was the home side who had the final say.
The game had plenty of key moments such as Beto’s early strike, which were certainly enjoyable but nothing came close to Tarkowski’s extremely late leveller.
Speaking out on that moment in isolation, Ian Ladyman has revealed that he feels sorry for those who departed Goodison early and missed the chaos that ensued.
Writing for the Daily Mail (14 February, page 73), he said: “It was the ones who hadn’t stayed to the end I felt sorry for. Imagine leaving early. Imagine missing that.
“For there were some blue seats visible before it all happened. In the Gwladys Street End, at which James Tarkowski thumped in his equalising goal for Everton against Liverpool, and in the Lower Bullens Stand, over by the corner. Some presumed the game was up and the story had already been told. So they went home.
“Now all they have left is a woe-is-me tale about going to the last and most dramatic Merseyside Derby at Goodison Park only to leave before the atom bomb landed.”
Everton v Liverpool ends in red card mania at Goodison
It is understandable that people have jobs and things to do and see which could mean they need to leave a football game early, but one of this importance and historical significance? That feels like a mistake.
Any supporters who did depart before the Toffees captain picked out the top corner regret their exit and that is only worsened by missing out on the chaos afterwards.
Tensions boiled over on the pitch in L4, ending the final derby at Goodison on a sour note but in patriotic fashion nonetheless.
There will be plenty of questions to answer from both clubs and the match officials after Oliver opted to hand out multiple red cards but the Evertonians won’t remember the clash for that, their memories will be all about that equaliser.