Everton manager Ronald Koeman has claimed that it was ‘unfair’ Dejan Lovren avoided a second booking as Liverpool emerged victorious at Goodison Park.
Jurgen Klopp’s side snatched maximum points with a stoppage time strike from Sadio Mane after they had failed to break down the Blues during normal play.
But Koeman pinpointed referee Mike Dean’s refusal to issue Lovren with another booking after he sparked a skirmish between players from both sides.
Seamus Coleman was cautioned for the fracas, which were prompted by Ross Barkley’s late tackle, but Koeman believes the Reds defender should also have been punished.
He said: “It was a tough tackle. I need to watch the clip back. Maybe it’s a red, I don’t know.
“But what happened after was not a fair decision from the referee. There was a total reaction of several players, also Coleman – and by Lovren, who was already booked.
“The referee gave a yellow card to Coleman and not to Lovren, even though he started it.
“He [the referee] gave Coleman his first yellow card but not a second to Lovren. Why? I don’t know.
“Only a yellow to Coleman is not a fair decision out of the reaction for both teams.”