8 hours ago
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An incensed Jack Grealish allowed his emotions to boil over following the Merseyside derby, earning himself a yellow card after confronting match officials alongside Everton boss David Moyes.
Liverpool extended its flawless Premier League record to five victories from five matches this season with a 2-1 triumph thanks to goals from Ryan Gravenberch and Hugo Ekitike. However, tensions erupted after the final whistle, with Grealish earning a booking from referee Darren England for his heated exchange.
Grealish's England colleague Jordan Pickford stepped in to prevent his teammate from landing himself in deeper hot water, while Moyes also voiced his displeasure to the match officials.
The title holders established a 2-0 advantage at half-time and appeared in control before Idrissa Gueye reduced the deficit on the hour mark.
This sparked a dramatic conclusion, though the Toffees couldn't locate the elusive leveller as Arne Slot's players preserved their perfect start to the fresh campaign.
Speaking to TNT Sports after the game, Grealish said: "It was a bit frustrating in the second half because they were trying to slow the game down at times.
"I've never seen a player in my whole life get booked for taking a quick free-kick. I don't know where that rules come in. Even the stoppage time, what was it, three minutes and one minute? Come on, I've never seen that in the Premier League in the last two or three years."
Grealish was then asked if there were a few frustrations with the officials. He replied: "Yeah, of course.
"Listen, I get sometimes you want to let the game go. But then you can't not give something for us and then two seconds later one of their defenders gets touched in the back, goes down and he gives it. I'm just like, you can't do that.
"I get it, you come to these stadiums and the crowd are on you and I think they feel like they've got to give it. But like I said, I think Kieran [Dewsbury-Hall] is now on four yellows, he's only got one more [before a ban] and he gets a yellow today for taking a quick free-kick.
"We want to get the game going, we're losing the game. I've never heard of that in my life."
Match of the Day analyst and former Everton striker Wayne Rooney was taken with Everton's display and believed they were the superior side on balance.
He commented: "Everton started off poorly. Liverpool obviously took advantage of that with the opening two goals.
"After that I think Everton were probably the better team. They just lacked cutting edge, intensity and some aggression.
"The second-half changes were positive but should have been made earlier."
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