Liverpool’s loss of composure after the final whistle at a boiling Goodison Park was absolutely normal, according to Virgil van Dijk. He was speaking in relation to Abdoulaye Doucouré’s provocative celebrations in front of the Liverpool support. Liverpool’s loss of control before the final whistle, however, was not normal for an Arne Slot team, though it also fuelled the anger that exploded on their final trip across Stanley Park.

There was comfort amid the mayhem of the last Merseyside derby at Goodison for Liverpool in the form of a seven-point lead over striker-less Arsenal at the top of the Premier League. There were also questions to be asked of Liverpool’s second successive below-par performance at the home of their oldest rivals. The visitors at least departed with a valuable point on this occasion but deserved no more, however much the manner of James Tarkowski’s 98th-minute equaliser stung.

David Moyes’s Everton repeated what Sean Dyche’s Everton did to Liverpool in the corresponding fixture last season in terms of refusing to let their rivals settle in possession, cutting off their passing lanes and bombarding their penalty area at the earliest opportunity. Liverpool suffered again, losing composure in their feet long before losing it in their heads. Alexis Mac Allister’s and Mohamed Salah’s goals followed rare moments of controlled, patient approach work by Slot’s team. The style that has underpinned Liverpool’s march on the Premier League title needs to be rediscovered before four key games in 11 days against Wolves, Aston Villa, Manchester City and Newcastle.

Liverpool had only six attempts on Jordan Pickford’s goal on Wednesday, with four on target. It was their lowest tally in a Premier League game this season and the fewest since having four against Manchester City in April 2023. Everton had 10 attempts, three on target, and that with an attack featuring only one fit striker in Beto and options that pale in comparison with the resources at Slot’s disposal.

The lack of composure in the Liverpool performance, from the off, was exacerbated by the 64 long balls they played. It was their joint-highest total of the season and played to the strengths of an Everton defence featuring the towering trio of Tarkowski, Jarrad Branthwaite and Jake O’Brien. Ryan Gravenberch’s usually telling influence was nullified and the Liverpool midfielder was withdrawn in the 61st minute.

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‘We all know we could have played better,” Van Dijk said. “But you play against a team who we all know this is their game of the season. We’ve seen it over the years. Coming here is always difficult and the way they play they make it uncomfortable for you – long balls, second-ball fights, balls that just fall in the right position – and you have to be ready to work your socks off. At times we matched it quite good and other times we couldn’t do it. Overall I think we definitely could have done better but you are still playing against a team who has strength in the way they played and we have to adapt to that.”

Liverpool’s temperament was stretched by the referee, Michael Oliver, before Doucouré provided the tipping point. Both teams, however, had legitimate reasons to lament the official’s inconsistent display. Both teams should also be thankful that red cards were not shown before the final whistle, as they might have been in the hands of a weaker referee swayed by their antics.

Slot’s cool demeanour evaporated in the heat of his first Merseyside derby. He cut an agitated figure throughout a contest in which Liverpool conceded 20 fouls, another season high. He had analysed last season’s Goodison derby, pinpointed the number of cheap fouls that Liverpool conceded as a factor in their defeat and appealed for cool heads, but his advice on how to avoid a repeat went ignored. Oliver was not entirely responsible for that.

But Van Dijk said: “I think the ref, and I told the ref, didn’t have it under the control we wanted. Some fouls were easily given and some weren’t. In the end these moments are decisive and for Doucouré to provoke the fans triggers [us] and that is absolutely normal. For Curt [Curtis Jones] to get a red, and everyone is jumping on it, in that case is a normal thing. I tried to stay calmer and get everyone away because I know how much we need everyone on Sunday but when the ref gives the manager and assistant coach a red as well that’s a bit strange.

“Conceding a goal in the last seconds of a game, or even after added time of a game, is very difficult. I think it was already over time, that was my view, and in my opinion it was a foul on Ibou [Konaté]. That hurt and should hurt for each one of us but it is the reality. You have two things you can do: you can dwell on it and stay angry about it or you can take it on board, start the recovery and be ready for Wolves because that will be a difficult test again. I think that’s the best thing to do.”

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