Everton midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure reportedly cursed at Virgil van Dijk in the aftermath of Wednesday’s 2-2 draw against Liverpool.
Doucoure, 32, was given his marching orders by referee Michael Oliver after he became embroiled in a tussle with Liverpool’s Curtis Jones.
The Mali international celebrated in front of the away fans to the dismay of Jones, 24, who quickly charged towards him.
A brawl ensued before Arne Slot and his assistant, Sipke Hulshoff, were shown red cards after engaging in a heated exchange with the officials.
Advert
And despite Doucoure being sent off, he did not stop there and appeared to goad the away side’s skipper, Virgil van Dijk, after the full-time whistle.
Van Dijk, 33, gave his thoughts on the incident in a post-match interview and claimed that the midfielder “wanted to provoke” the Liverpool supporters gathered in the away end at Goodison Park.
"We saw how they celebrated the goal, they have all the right to," Reds captain Van Dijk told TNT Sports.
"I think Abdoulaye Doucoure wanted to provoke our fans. I think that is what I saw, and Curtis Jones didn't think it was the right thing to do. And then you know what happens if there is a little tussle.
"I didn't think the referee had the game under control. Both teams had to deal with it. This was their cup final.
"I think the referee had a big part in the game, in terms of certain challenges were given as fouls and similar weren't."
The Liverpool Echo revealed exactly what was said by the Everton man during the chaos. The report claims that he said: "F*****g go inside,” before appearing to put his hand to his lip after Slot, 46, was sent off.
Former Liverpool player turned TNT Sports pundit Steve McManaman explained how he felt Doucoure was “silly” to act in the way he did after the last-gasp equaliser.
"Abdoulaye Doucoure had 37,000 of his own fans to go and celebrate in front of," he told TNT Sports.
"To go and antagonise the Liverpool fans was a silly decision. It was only going to end one way."
Topics: Everton, Liverpool, Virgil Van Dijk, Curtis Jones, VAR, Champions League
Luke Davies