Liverpool looked comfortable after first-half strikes from Ryan Gravenberch and Hugo Ekitike, but Idrissa Gueye pulled one back to set up a tense finish. Yet, only three minutes of added time were shown in the second half — a decision that left Jack Grealish, David Moyes, and Everton supporters furious.
Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher suggested that a clock-stop system — used in other sports — could resolve such disputes. Speaking on Sky Sports, pundit Jay Boothroyd also questioned how such a short stoppage was possible given the substitutions and incidents during the match.
Grealish, currently on loan from Manchester City, voiced his frustration after the game:
> “We couldn’t get the last goal, and the time just wasn’t there. Three minutes? One minute? I haven’t seen that in years. It felt like the game was being slowed down deliberately.”
Moyes backed him up, criticizing both the refereeing decisions and the booking for a quick free-kick:
> “Three minutes was unbelievable. I’ve never seen anything like it.”
Gallagher responded by insisting that unless every stoppage is tracked precisely, debates will continue:
> “This is why I believe football should move towards a 35-minute half with a stopped clock, so there’s no argument.”
With emotions running high, the controversy has reignited calls for a major Premier League rule change — one that could forever alter how time is managed in English football.
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