The Merseyside derby is always full of drama, passion and moments that people will talk about for years, but this time it was not just about the goals, the tackles, or the atmosphere at Anfield. It was about a decision that shocked players, fans and even television commentators. A decision from the referee that left one of the Premier League’s biggest names, Jack Grealish, furious and lost for words. After Liverpool defeated Everton 2-1, Grealish stood in front of the cameras and openly attacked the referee for applying what he described as a rule that he had never in his life heard of. His anger, his disbelief, and his frustration summed up the emotions of Everton after what they believed was a huge injustice in a game where every small detail mattered.
Liverpool went into the game confident, chasing another win to keep their perfect start to the season alive. Anfield was buzzing, the noise was deafening, the crowd believed this was another chance to show their strength. And in the early moments, it looked like a simple day for the home side. Ryan Gravenberch, the Dutch midfielder who has been growing in confidence under Arne Slot, scored the opening goal after just ten minutes. The crowd roared, red scarves waved, and Everton looked stunned. Before they could recover, Hugo Ekitike struck again, doubling Liverpool’s lead with a calm finish that showed why so many believe he is the next superstar for the club.
At 2-0, many thought Everton were finished. Liverpool had done this before, crushing teams early and controlling the match. But derbies are different. They are not just about tactics, they are about pride. Everton came out in the second half like wounded lions. They pressed higher, they fought harder, and when Idrissa Gueye smashed the ball into the net just before the hour mark, the game came alive. Suddenly Liverpool were nervous, Everton were growing, and the fans inside Anfield felt the tension.
It was in this period of Everton pressure that the drama exploded. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, full of energy and determination, won a free-kick in a dangerous position. He wanted to take it quickly, to catch Liverpool’s defense off guard, to use the chaos of the moment to create an equaliser. But before the ball could move, referee Darren England blew his whistle and stopped the play. Not only did he stop the quick free-kick, he pulled out a yellow card for Dewsbury-Hall. Shock filled the air. Everton players surrounded the referee in disbelief. The bench jumped to their feet. Even the commentators on television, Darren Fletcher and Ally McCoist, could not hide their surprise. They questioned the decision, they questioned the logic, and fans watching at home were left confused.
Jack Grealish, Everton’s leader and star on the pitch, was furious. He went straight to the referee, arms waving, voice raised, demanding answers. Cameras caught the confrontation, showing his anger and confusion. After the game, when he faced the TNT Sports microphones, he did not hold back. His words were sharp, his tone was emotional. “I’ve never seen a player in my whole life get booked for taking a quick free-kick… I don’t know where that rule has come in,” he said, shaking his head in disbelief. These were not just comments, these were accusations, direct shots at the referee’s knowledge of the game
For Grealish, it was not just about one yellow card. It was about fairness, about the spirit of football. In his mind, Dewsbury-Hall had done what players have been doing for decades—using quick thinking to take advantage. To punish him for that felt like a betrayal of the game itself. Grealish could not accept it, and he made sure the whole world knew.