Connor Bradley has added his voice to the growing list of those criticizing Michael Oliver’s performance in the Merseyside derby on Wednesday night.
The referee made several big errors in Liverpool’s 2-2 draw with Everton, including awarding a free-kick in favor of Iliman Ndiaye in the early stages when there was little contact, which led directly to the Toffees’ opening goal. Oliver also failed to give a free-kick when Carlos Alcaraz blatantly tripped Mohamed Salah near the end of the game and Arne Slot felt there was a foul on Ibrahima Konate in the build-up to James Tarkowski’s late equalizer.
That goal was scored in the eighth minute of added-on time, another bone of contention given only five minutes were originally indicated, although that did have to be extended after Jarrad Branthwaite received on-field treatment.
READ MORE: Premier League makes Michael Oliver decision after Liverpool angered by Everton derby draw
READ MORE: Virgil van Dijk's 18 words to Michael Oliver and Arne Slot as Liverpool tempers boiled
Bradley was among those caught up in the refereeing decisions and had to be replaced in the second half as he was at risk of being sent off. The Northern Irishman clattered into Vitalii Mykolenko at the end of the first half and had his name taken before he fouled Abdoulaye Doucoure early in the second period.
“I felt like I had to be careful, especially getting the yellow card,” Bradley told LFCTV after the match. “I don’t think I deserved a yellow card, but I don’t think we should talk about the referee, I’ll probably get myself in trouble.
“I was disappointed obviously to get the yellow card and just had to be good from thereon in and make sure I didn’t get sent off.”
Regardless of the merits of Bradley’s yellow card, Slot felt he had to be replaced as he was at risk of being sent off, and replaced him with Trent Alexander-Arnold in the 61st minute.
The 21-year-old was also frustrated that Oliver gave the ball back to Everton to restart after Branthwaite’s late injury, which Bradley felt handed the hosts the advantage just seconds before Tarkowski’s equalizer.
“I don’t even think they should have got the ball back after it, but that gave them one more chance,” he opined. “The referee keeps playing and playing on and obviously they get that chance.
“They probably shouldn’t have got that chance, but it’s just disappointing on our end to have the win there and not be able to get it. But like I said, we have to bounce back on Sunday and hopefully get three points.”
