Everton boss David Moyes sympathised with opposite number Arne Slot after he was sent off in a chaotic end to the Merseyside derby.
Liverpool manager Slot and assistant Sipke Hulshoff were both dismissed by referee Michael Oliver following James Tarkowski’s dramatic late equaliser in the 2-2 draw.
Abdoulaye Doucoure and Curtis Jones of Liverpool also saw red after the final whistle, with the Everton man’s celebrations in front of Reds fans kicking off a melee.
Both clubs, as well as Slot and Hulshoff, have now been charged by the Football Association in the wake of the events.
Everton and Liverpool published a joint statement on Thursday condemning online racist abuse directed at Doucoure into which Merseyside Police have launched an investigation.
“He’s fine,” said Moyes of the midfielder, who will miss Saturday’s trip to Crystal Palace as he serves a one-match ban.
“I said after the game and I still remain the same, I was disappointed that he got himself sent off. The club will look at the situation as we go along, his situation here.
“It was an emotional night, everybody was involved in it. We’re playing against a really good Liverpool team, probably the best in Europe, certainly the best in our country at the moment. We had to do as good a job as we could on Liverpool to get a result and we just about got there.
“I was disappointed in Doucs because he’d played so well in the game and a great job for the team, but it still doesn’t mean that people are allowed to abuse you and, if that’s the case, then it’s completely wrong.
“Doucs, if he had it again, he would have probably not done what he’s done.”
Moyes feels he has mellowed on the touchline since his first stint at Goodison Park, and he said: “I feel a bit for Arne Slot. When I was a younger manager I was always getting involved in heated things.
“And it also tells me that he cares a lot about his club and he’s fighting for his players. I think when you get a bit older you stand back and you say, ‘What was I doing there?’
“I’ve had plenty of moments and lots that I’m not proud of. But we all have to fight our own corner.”
▶️ David Moyes confirms Iliman Ndiaye suffered a medial ligament injury in the Merseyside derby and there is no confirmation yet on a timescale for a potential return. pic.twitter.com/8JEM0O6Ylr
— Everton (@Everton) February 14, 2025
Moyes’ frustration with Doucoure was partly because Everton remain low on numbers, and they will also be without key man Iliman Ndiaye on Saturday after he hobbled off with what the Everton boss confirmed is a medial ligament injury.
“It’s not looking great at the moment,” said Moyes. “We’re not sure about how long it’s going to be. It’s certainly going to be a few weeks anyway.”
The derby continued the positive feeling at the club since the Scotsman replaced Sean Dyche, and Moyes is determined to maintain that while ensuring there is no hangover on Saturday.
“The biggest thing for us is the quick turnaround,” he said. “We’ve not played as many games as most teams because we’re not in Europe yet. Our squad is very tight at the moment. This three games in a week is quite a tough week.
“I have to make sure that we’re ready. But I’m going to try to keep things upbeat as much as we can, see if we can change the whole feeling around Everton as much as we can. We’ve got new owners and we want to start looking forward and seeing if we can build the club up again.”
