Abdoulaye Doucoure: Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk accuses Everton midfielder of provocation in derby clash

Following Tarkowski’s late equaliser with a superb finish, Doucoure went over towards the away fans and was caught on television cameras making a shushing gesture.

He was confronted by Liverpool substitute Jones, before a large tussle between both sets of players broke out, while a bottle was seen to be thrown at the group.

It was eventually broken up by stewards and, afterwards, referee Oliver showed second yellow cards to both Doucoure and Jones.

The drama was not over, however, as Liverpool boss Slot and his assistant Hulshoff were shown straight red cards after trying to make their feelings known to the officials.

Slot had been seen moments after Tarkowski’s equalising gesticulating to suggest there had been a foul in the build-up to the goal.

Former Liverpool winger Steve McManaman said it was “silly” of Doucoure to antagonise the Liverpool fans.

“Abdoulaye Doucoure had 37,000 of his own fans to go and celebrate in front of,” he told TNT Sports.

“To go and antagonise the Liverpool fans was a silly decision. It was only going to end one way.”

Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand added: “Going against opposition fans I don’t think is wrong. The difference is when it is a local derby, you don’t like them but there is a respect and you know there is a torch paper that will be lit.

“Other games you can do that because it is a bit of banter. Sometimes it is emotions. Mario Balotelli did this with the Man Utd fans once and I was incensed and we got into a melee so I can understand why Curtis Jones did what he did.”

Meanwhile, Everton boss David Moyes was left frustrated that he will lose Doucoure to suspension for Saturday’s game at Crystal Palace.

“I didn’t see it from where I was,” said the Scot, whose side moved level on points with Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham and 10 clear of the relegation zone.

“I have had a chance to see it and I’m disappointed because Doucoure played really well and I’m going to now lose him because he’s got a second yellow card which turned into a red.

“The emotions were running high here all night, the stadium was at fever pitch. It was mayhem. You could see what it meant to supporters at the end of the game, the crowd was rocking.

“It was one of the big nights.”