Premier League urged to change major rule after Liverpool vs Everton frustration boils over

Liverpool continued their 100% record this season with a 2-1 victory over Everton but David Moyes and his players were left angered at the end

The PGMOL have been urged to change the rules surrounding stoppage time in the Premier League after Liverpool beat Everton 2-1 at Anfield with just three minutes added on at the end of the second half. For the neutral, the Merseyside derby lived up to its billing as the Reds raced into a 2-0 lead at the break.

Ryan Gravenberch's superb finish followed by Hugo Ekitike's fourth of the season had the Reds in control. However, Everton pulled themselves right back into the contest thanks to Idrissa Gueye's strike to set up a blockbuster finish.

Sadly for the Blues, as they pushed for an equaliser, they were left dismayed as only three minutes were added on for second half stoppage time. Liverpool managed to hold on to take the bragging rights but the frustrations from the away side were clear to see.

OPINION

OPINION

David Moyes was pictured confronting the referee Darren England at the end of the match while Jack Grealish talked himself into a booking before being escorted away by his teammate Jordan Pickford. Speaking to the media post-match, Moyes said: "Three minutes was very strange.

"Every quick free-kick had to be stopped and brought back for the whistle and then we get a booking for it [taking a quick free kick]. I find it quite unbelievable."

Grealish added: "Even the stoppage-time, three minutes and one minute – I've never seen that in the Premier League in the last two or three years. There were frustrations with the referee."

Amid Everton's complaints, former Premier League referee Keith Hackett told Football Insider that the PGMOL should look to alter their rules regarding stoppage time. "Can you remember when we had 10, 11, 14 minutes of added time on Premier League games," Hackett questioned.

"It lasted about six weeks. In the Merseyside derby today, three minutes…

"It's just not enough. The lawmakers must consider taking the timing of games out of the hands of the match officials and introduce an independent time-keeper, who operates a stop-clock inside the stadium.

"That way, we'll have fewer players feigning injury, and we'll probably see fewer stoppages. They'll want to get on with the game, won't they?"

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