Jordan Pickford has explained what was said during an exchange with Michael Oliver moments before Everton equalised against Liverpool
Jordan Pickford has confirmed that Michael Oliver added two and a half minutes onto injury time at Goodison Park before James Tarkowski’s dramatic late equaliser snatched a point for Everton against Liverpool
Everton had been trailing 2-1 after goals from Alexis Mac Allister and Mohamed Salah overturned Beto’s early strike, but captain Tarkowski latched onto a ball into the box to slam home in the 98th minute to ensure that the spoils were shared and spark wild scenes at the final whistle.
It also led to complaints from Liverpool boss Arne Slot, who, along with assistant Sipke Hulshoff, was shown a red card by referee Oliver after the final whistle for his angry demonstrations
But Pickford says there was no “overtime” played and revealed an exchange with Oliver after a collision between Everton pair Jarrad Branthwaite and Carlos Alcaraz led to injury time being extended at the end of the game.
Speaking to TNT Sports, he said: “It was a great point. I just had anxiety at the end over VAR. Just waiting to hear (the decision).
It was massive for the fans and massive for us. We were on 41 wins apiece so to finish at Goodison with a point, I thought we played very well and it’s important for the league, another point on the board to keep pushing up that table.
“(It was a) great strike and glad it went in. We didn’t give up. We kept pushing for the full 97 minutes. Some great performances out there from the lads and I think we deserved the point in the end.
It was (spicy) but also some good football played. But that edge in a derby is crucial. We know what we have to give to get the fans going. It was a good game and I think we definitely deserved a point tonight.”
He added: “When Jarrad (Branthwaite) and Carlos) Alcaraz went down, I said the the ref ‘how long is left’ and he said ’97 and a half’ and I think we scored on 97.26 so it wasn’t that he played overtime. So great credit to the lads. They kept coming at us but I think we gave as good as we got tonight and it was definitely deserved
It’s a great point and something the fans will remember for a long time. We know it would hang over our heads and the fans’ heads if Liverpool won 2-1 tonight, but we managed to get a draw in the final game which is pleasing. It’s crucial for the league table, where we are and where we want to be.
But we have to take the positives. We know we have to go to Anfield in a few weeks so we have to stay grounded, keep picking up results and keep pushing up the table.”
