Premier League issue statement after Merseyside derby brawl with police investigation 'set to be launched'

The Premier League have issued a statement after the brawl between Everton and Liverpool players after the Merseyside derby - with police likely to launch an investigation.

Everton defender James Tarkowski sparked wild scenes at Goodison Park when he fired in a half-volley from close range to secure a 2-2 draw for the Toffees in second half injury time.

Immediately after the full-time whistle, team-mate Abdoulaye Doucoure sprinted over to the Liverpool supporters and gestured towards them.

Liverpool's Curtis Jones then sparked a furious scuffle by shoving the Frenchman, with a number of players from both sides joining the fray.

Everton's Abdoulaye Doucoure and Liverpool's Curtis Jones were involved in a brawl after the Merseyside derby (Image: Getty)

Both Jones and Doucoure were shown second yellow cards by referee Michael Oliver, before Liverpool manager Arne Slot was then sent off after aggressively shaking the official's hand - though it is unclear whether he said something inflammatory to Oliver at the same time.

After the match, the Premier League released an official statement through its Match Centre Twitter account - though it didn't give reasons for any of the dismissals.

They wrote: "The referee issued second yellow cards and red cards to Curtis Jones and Abdoulaye Doucoure after the final whistle.

"Arne Slot and his assistant Sipke Hulshoff were also shown straight red cards after the final whistle."

Image: Twitter/@PLMatchCentre

Slot and Hulshoff's sending offs mean Liverpool were unable to hold a post-match press conference at Goodison Park - which may have been a blessing in disguise for the Reds boss given how the match ended.

After the full-time whistle, on-duty police officers were forced to intervene to break up the players.

And former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett claims that Merseyside police will be set to launch an investigation - due to an object that appeared to strike Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, thrown from the crowd, during the mass brawl.

Hackett told Football Insider: "Both teams will be charged for failing to control their players, and we will see the result of that later today no doubt.

"There will also be the police investigating who threw the bottle. They will be scanning video clips this morning to see if they can find the culprit."