Virgil van Dijk has called on Liverpool to put aside their anger and focus on their upcoming Premier League clash with Wolves, following a dramatic and controversial 2-2 draw with Everton at Goodison Park. The Reds captain acknowledged the frustration of conceding a stoppage-time equaliser but stressed the importance of moving on.
Liverpool thought they had secured a vital win after Mo Salah's second-half goal put them ahead, following Alexis Mac Allister's equaliser after Beto's early opener. However, James Tarkowski scored in the eighth minute of added time to earn Everton a point, sparking ugly scenes as players clashed. Curtis Jones and Abdoulaye Doucoure received second yellow cards, while manager Arne Slot and assistant Sipke Hulshoff were sent off for confronting referee Michael Oliver.
Van Dijk expressed his disappointment with the late goal and the manner of it, suggesting that added time had already expired and that there was a foul on Ibrahima Konate in the build-up. Despite the controversy, he insisted the team must not dwell on the result, as they remain seven points clear at the top of the Premier League table.
“I think it is better to just get over it as soon as possible and be ready for Sunday and put full focus on what we are facing next,” Van Dijk said. “Today is obviously very difficult to just put it aside because it is still so fresh... but from tomorrow we have to move on.”
The draw leaves Liverpool seven points ahead of Arsenal, with a game in hand. Jones will miss the Wolves match due to suspension, while Slot and Hulshoff will serve touchline bans.
