Virgil van Dijk branded ‘salty’ after brutal dig at Everton in post-match interview following late equaliser

Virgil van Dijk has been branded "salty" for a dig he made about Everton after his Liverpool side conceded a last-gasp equaliser in the final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park.

Liverpool looked like they were heading towards a victory when Mo Salah made it 2-1 in the 73rd minute with his 22nd goal in the Premier League, with Everton appearing to run out of ideas.

But with the very last kick of the game, Everton captain James Tarkowski popped up with a sensational volley past Alisson Becker to send Goodison into a frenzy.

There was a potential lengthy VAR review which cleared a possible offside and potential foul from Beto on Ibrahima Konate, meaning Everton snatched a point at the death.

Tempers flared at the final whistle after Abdoulaye Doucoure goaded Liverpool's travelling supporters, with Curtis Jones taking issue and shoving the former Watford midfielder.

A melee between both sets of players ensued, with Doucoure and Jones sent off - before Arne Slot and his assistant Sipke Hulshoff were shown red cards by Michael Oliver for their conduct.

Slot was banned from speaking to TNT Sports because of his dismissal, but captain Virgil van Dijk did participate in an interview.

The Dutchman claimed that referee Oliver did not have control of the fixture and also repeatedly complained about the goal being scored when it was "over time".

Van Dijk discussed the controversy involving Doucoure and Jones and couldn't help but make a remark at Everton by calling the game their "cup final".

"This is their cup final and they would try to do everything in their power to make it difficult for us. It is a big boost for them but a blow for us," Van Dijk said on Everton's approach and celebrations.

"We all know this is their cup final."

Virgil Van Dijk with some strong words towards Everton 😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/jEQ7leQTxX

— george (@StokeyyG2) February 12, 2025

Reacting to the interview, one fan on X said: "Terrible post match interview by Van Dijk. Comes across petulant and a poor sport. Got to be gracious in defeat, victory or equality!"

A second commented: "Loooooollll Van Dijk is so salty. 'This is their cup final' he’s not wrong tbf but man."

A third added: "Crikey, some serious salt from Van Dijk in that interview."

A fourth user wrote: "This post match interview from Van Dijk is embarrassing. He is never graceful."

Winless in their last two, Liverpool will look to bounce back on Sunday when they host Wolves at Anfield.