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Virgil van Dijk said he told Judge Michael Oliver that he had not enough control over the poorly temperate Merseyside Derby when he revealed that he thought it was strange to see the manager Arne Slot and his assistant Sipke Hulshoff sent off.

Oliver showed four red cards after the final whistle on a 2-2 draw with Liverpool replacement Curtis Jones and Everton midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure who both received other yellow shortly after their parts in a brawl before slot and Hulshoff were also dismissed for their words to the official.

Van Dijk had tried to act as a peacemaker under Melee and tried to get Hulshoff away from Oliver but was also critical of the decision to allow James Tarkowski’s 98-minute equalizer, and felt that Beto had Fouled Ibrahima Konate in the build-up and argued that that match should have finished before then.

He said, “I think it was already over time, that was my opinion, and in my opinion it was a foul on Ibou (Konate).

“During the game he gave several times this type of fouls but in the end it was an outstanding finish, and then you have to deal with it.”

Van Dijk defended Jones, who reacted when Doucoure went to celebrate in front of the Liverpool fans, but which will now be suspended for Sunday’s home game against Wolves.

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The Liverpool captained: “I think the judge, and I told the judge, he didn’t have it under the control we wanted. I believe that some of the moments during the game, some fouls were given easy and some were not and in the end these moments are crucial and for Doucoure to provoke the fan triggers and that is perfectly normal.

“For Curt to get a red, and everyone jumps on it, in which case is a normal thing but I tried to stay calmer and get everyone away because I know how much we need everyone on Sunday but when the referee gives the boss and assistant coach a Red also which is a bit strange but that is what it is and we also have to deal with it. And we will deal with it. “

Van Dijk urged Liverpool to channel his anger by coming back to the weekend.

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He said: “I think it is very difficult to pick up a goal during the last seconds of a game, or even after added time by a game. Obviously the point is very nice but to admit extra over time and how we admitted is a disappointing thing.

“It hurts and should hurt each of us, but that is reality. You have two things you can do: you can live on it and remain angry with it or you can take it on board, start the recovery and be ready for wolves. “