The Merseyside Derby stands as one of the Premier League's most fiercely contested encounters. Sunday afternoon will witness Everton welcome their city rivals, Liverpool, at Hill Dickinson Stadium in the 248th instalment of the legendary fixture.
While the match will create history as the first derby to take place at Everton's new ground on the banks of the Mersey, the action on the pitch is sure to quickly take the attention.
It was following the turbulent derby of February 12, 2025, that Liverpool manager Arne Slot was thought to have overstepped the mark in his confrontation with referee Michael Oliver, with demands for a points deduction even circulating after the encounter.
The eventful 2-2 draw proved a suitable final derby for Everton's previous home. Liverpool appeared to be taking all three points back across Stanley Park courtesy of goals from Mo Salah and Alexis Mac Allister when Blues defender James Tarkowski struck a remarkable 98th-minute equaliser in front of the Gwladys Street end, sending the home faithful into ecstasy.
Yet, the goal was only awarded after an extended VAR review for a potential foul on Liverpool centre-back Ibrahima Konate, much to Slot's annoyance. The goal, and its concerning aftermath, rather encapsulated the 120 derbies staged at Goodison throughout its illustrious history in a minute-long snapshot.
Toffees midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure provoked Reds supporters following Everton's late goal and was then challenged by Liverpool's Curtis Jones, with players from both teams confronting each other before both received red cards from Oliver.
Slot also began protesting to Oliver emphatically at the final whistle, making clear his views on the official's decision to permit Tarkowski's late goal, receiving a two-match ban as a result. Slot's assistant, Sipke Hulshoff, was equally dismissed due to the confrontation.
Subsequently, former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett suggested the heated incident could have been the catalyst for points deductions, arguing that the usual practice of issuing fines for those who cross the line was inadequate.
"I would like to see referees at the final whistle moving towards the tunnel rather than standing in the middle looking for handshakes and any complimentary comments," Hackett told Football Insider.
"This will I feel reduce any tensions that have built up in the game. I hope that the level of fines will receive a more controlled approach by the manager and his assistant.
"If these fines going forward do not have the desired effect then we may see points deductions coming into play. The last time they used that sanction for an on-field mass confrontation was in the game between Manchester United v Arsenal (in the 1990s) where I was the man in the middle."
Arsenal were docked two points following that 1990 clash, with United handed a one-point deduction. Despite Hackett's conjecture, there has been no suggestion from the Premier League that points deductions for on-pitch incidents are being considered.
Following the encounter, Slot said: "It happened a lot and the emotions got the better of me. If I could do it differently, If I look back at it, I would love to do it differently. I would do it [differently] next time as well."
Liverpool may have surrendered two points in the extraordinary encounter, but that didn't prevent them from claiming their 20th league title come May. This season, however, the Merseyside derby carries an entirely different significance, with both Liverpool and Everton embroiled in a fierce battle for the Premier League's European qualification places.
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