The Merseyside derby is always full of passion, intensity, and unpredictable drama—but this time, the spotlight shifted from the football to a refereeing decision that left everyone stunned.
Liverpool claimed a 2–1 victory over Everton, but after the final whistle, Jack Grealish couldn’t hold back his anger at referee Darren England, accusing him of enforcing a rule he claimed he had “never even heard of.”
Liverpool started brightly, with Ryan Gravenberch breaking the deadlock early before Hugo Ekitike doubled the lead to send Anfield into celebration mode. Everton, however, refused to back down. Idrissa Gueye pulled one back just before the hour mark, setting up a tense finale.
But the game’s biggest flashpoint came when Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall won a free-kick in a promising position. As he attempted a quick restart, the referee unexpectedly halted play and issued him a yellow card—sparking outrage from players, the bench, and even live commentators who questioned the decision in real time.
Wearing the captain’s armband, Grealish was visibly furious, confronting the referee and later venting his frustration in a post-match interview:
> “I’ve never seen anyone booked for taking a quick free-kick in my entire career. I don’t even know what rule that’s supposed to be.”
For Grealish, the decision wasn’t just about one booking—it was about fairness and the spirit of the game. What should have been clever play, in his eyes, turned into punishment for initiative.
Everton’s fightback fell short, but the controversy ensured this derby would be remembered as much for its refereeing drama as for the scoreline. For Grealish, the message was clear: football should be settled by players on the pitch—not puzzling decisions from the officials.
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