Virgil van Dijk has accused Abdoulaye Doucoure of ‘triggering’ the ugly fallout from Wednesday’s Merseyside derby.
Everton and Liverpool’s final-ever meeting at Goodison Park ended in a 2-2 draw after James Tarkowski snatched a stoppage-time leveller for the hosts.
But Doucoure and Curtis Jones were retrospectively sent off for clashing in front of the away section as the pair had to be pulled apart at the final whistle.
Arne Slot and assistant Sipke Hulshoff were also given red cards, preventing the Reds from holding a post-match press conference under Premier League rules.
Van Dijk also revealed that he told referee Michael Oliver he had lost control of the contest after the current league leaders were denied a historic victory.
He said: “I think the ref – and I told the ref – he didn’t have it under the control we wanted.
“I think some of the moments during the game, some fouls were easily given and some weren’t and in the end these moments are decisive and for Doucoure to provoke the fans triggers and that is absolutely normal.
“For Curt to get a red, and everyone is jumping on it, in that 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 ref gives the manager and assistant coach a red as well that’s a bit strange but it is what it is.
“We have to deal with that as well, and we will deal with it.”
Ahead of Sunday’s visit of Wolves, Van Dijk insists that Slot’s side must not dwell on their derby stalemate but use it as part of their recovery process.
“Obviously scoring is very nice but to concede in extra over time and the way we conceded is a disappointing thing,” added the Liverpool captain.
“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 and I think that’s the best thing to do.”