In the cauldron of Merseyside rivalry, where every tackle and touchline shout echoes with decades of history, Saturday’s Premier League clash at Anfield delivered its usual cocktail of drama, skill, and simmering tension. Liverpool edged out Everton 2-1 in the 247th installment of the iconic derby, a result that propelled the Reds to the summit of the table with a perfect five wins from five. But as the final whistle blew, the post-match narrative quickly veered from the on-pitch heroics to a heated debate over stoppage time—and whether referee Darren England had shortchanged the visitors. Everton’s camp, led by interim manager David Moyes and fiery winger Jack Grealish, didn’t hold back in their criticism. Yet, Liverpool’s head coach Arne Slot has categorically rejected the accusations, defending the officiating and insisting his side plays the game straight, without resorting to the dark arts that plague so many high-stakes encounters.
The match itself was a tale of two halves, a classic derby script laced with grit and fleeting moments of brilliance. Liverpool struck first in the 22nd minute when Ryan Gravenberch unleashed a thunderous long-range effort, curling the ball into the top corner past a helpless Jordan Pickford. The Anfield faithful were still roaring when Hugo Ekitiké doubled the lead just before the break, the French forward pouncing on a loose ball in the box to slot home with clinical precision. It was a dream first 45 for Slot’s men, showcasing their high-pressing intensity and fluid attacking transitions that have become hallmarks of their unbeaten start to the season. Everton, mired in a winless streak and languishing near the relegation zone, absorbed the blows but refused to crumble. Their response came in the 58th minute, courtesy of Idrissa Gueye’s opportunistic strike from the edge of the area—a low drive that arrowed through a crowded box and wrong-footed Alisson Becker.
What followed was a frantic second half where Everton, buoyed by the goal, threw everything forward in search of parity. They dominated possession in the closing stages, peppering Liverpool’s defense with crosses and set-pieces, while Grealish’s twisting runs down the left flank repeatedly tested Trent Alexander-Arnold’s resolve. The Blues’ improved showing was a far cry from their sluggish opening period, injecting real belief into a side that’s battled inconsistency under Moyes’ stewardship. But as the clock ticked into the 90th minute, frustrations boiled over. Referee England signaled just three minutes of added time—a decision that Moyes labeled “very strange” in his post-match interview. “Every quick free-kick had to be stopped and brought back for the whistle and then we get a booking for it. I find it quite unbelievable,” the Scot fumed, pointing to what he saw as inconsistent officiating that hampered his team’s momentum.
Grealish, no stranger to derby dust-ups, was even more vocal. The former Manchester City star, who has endured a stop-start campaign at Goodison Park, accused Liverpool of “trying to slow the game down at times” when under pressure. His ire peaked after full time, when he confronted England over a yellow card shown to teammate Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall for attempting a quick free-kick—a decision that Grealish deemed harsh. The winger’s protests earned him his own booking, capping a heated exchange that encapsulated Everton’s sense of injustice. For the visitors, the brevity of stoppage time felt like a conspiracy, robbing them of precious seconds to chase an equalizer in a game where they had the better of the late exchanges.
Enter Arne Slot, the unflappable Dutch tactician whose calm demeanor has steadied Liverpool since Jürgen Klopp’s departure. Speaking ahead of Tuesday’s Carabao Cup third-round tie against Southampton, Slot dismantled the narrative with a blend of logic and pointed rebuttal. “A lot has been said about the added time against Everton but I would have loved to play 34 seconds more because we were in a five-v-two situation at that moment,” he revealed to the club’s official channels, highlighting a late Liverpool counter that could have extended their lead further. Slot argued that the three minutes were spot-on, citing the half’s limited interruptions: just three substitutions (in the 61st, 67th, and 86th minutes), one goal, and no injury stoppages. “The three minutes were completely correct because there were only three moments where a substitution was made. There was no time-wasting because that’s not what we do and there was no treatment of injuries, one goal scored,” he emphasized, drawing a sharp contrast to other fixtures.
Slot’s defense wasn’t just defensive; it carried a subtle dig at rivals. “Then you come to three [minutes]. Where in many other games when we need a goal, there’s a lot, a lot, a lot of time-wasting going on, I can tell you,” he added, alluding to the widespread tactic of feigned injuries and prolonged restarts that referees often tolerate in desperate endgames. For Slot, this wasn’t about favoritism toward the home side but a reflection of Liverpool’s ethos—a team that attacks relentlessly, even when protecting a lead. His comments underscore a broader philosophy: under his guidance, the Reds have averaged over two goals per game this season, blending Klopp’s high-energy legacy with a more measured possession game. The derby win, Slot insisted, was “deserved,” praising his players’ resilience in weathering Everton’s storm without dipping into gamesmanship.
The controversy has only amplified the derby’s lore, a fixture that has produced 25 red cards and countless talking points since its inception in 1894. For Everton, it’s another chapter in a fraught relationship with officials, echoing past grievances over VAR decisions and penalty calls. Moyes, back at the helm amid a transitional phase, will rue the missed opportunity to dent Liverpool’s armor, especially with the Blues’ squad depth stretched thin by injuries to key players like Jarrad Branthwaite. Grealish’s outburst, meanwhile, highlights his growing influence since his summer switch from City— a player determined to drag Everton toward respectability, even if it means ruffling feathers.
As the dust settles, Slot turns his focus to squad rotation for the cup clash. He confirmed a “completely changed lineup” against Southampton, resting stalwarts like Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konaté, Mohamed Salah, Gravenberch, and Dominik Szoboszlai to manage their heavy workloads amid a congested schedule. It’s a pragmatic move from the 47-year-old, who has Liverpool dreaming of a quadruple chase: Premier League leaders, flawless in Europe, and now eyeing domestic cup silverware. “This football club is not only the men’s team, it’s also the women’s team,” Slot noted, acknowledging the holistic impact of his role.
In the end, Slot’s staunch backing of the referee isn’t just about one derby—it’s a statement of intent. Liverpool under him won’t be dragged into the mud of controversy; they’ll let their football do the talking. As Everton lick their wounds and plot a response in the return fixture come April, the Merseyside divide feels sharper than ever. But for now, Anfield basks in the glow of another victory, a reminder that in this most passionate of rivalries, time—wasted or otherwise—is always on the side of the relentless.
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