The Premier League were forced to release a number of statements after Liverpool's dramatic draw with Everton in the Merseyside derby at Goodison Park.
Beto gave the hosts the lead after just 11 minutes but it took Arne Slot's side just five minutes to respond with Alexis Mac Allister restoring parity. Liverpool then scored what they thought was the winner though Mohamed Salah on the 73rd minute, before a dramatic late equaliser from James Tarkowski saw the title race take yet another twist.
The late goal sparked wild scenes at Goodison and midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure was spotted racing to celebrate in front of the travelling Liverpool supporters, prompting an angry response from Reds' man Curtis Jones. A number of players would pile in to try and separate the two players, who were shown red cards by referee Michael Oliver as a result.
Slot and assistant Sipke Hulshoff also found themselves on the receiving end red cards, though the Premier League did not clarify the reason for those being handed out.
A Premier League statement read: "The referee issued second yellow cards and red cards to Curtis Jones and Abdoulaye Doucoure following an altercation after the final whistle. Arne Slot and his assistant Sipke Hulshoff were also shown straight red cards after the final whistle."
The result is a welcome one for Arsenal who now know the exact points cushion separating the two sides, with the fixture counting as Liverpool's game in hand. There are now just seven points separating the two sides, though the game needed VAR to clarify the result.
Liverpool had complained about the equalising goal from Tarkowski, with Reds' players calling for offside on Doucoure in the build-up, as well as accusations of a foul from Beto on Ibrahima Konate.
However, The Premier League clarified that Toffees midfielder was indeed onside in the build-up to the goal but did not release any statement on the claims of a foul.
A statement read: "The referee’s call of goal was checked and confirmed by the VAR- who established that Doucouré was in an onside position in the build-up."
Arsenal are back in action on Saturday when they travel to Leicester City looking to claw back at Liverpool's lead at the summit.
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