Key Takeaways:
- Liverpool defeated Everton 2-1 at Anfield following goals from Ryan Gravenberch and Hugo Ekitike.
- Only three minutes of stoppage time were added at the end of the match, provoking outrage among Everton supporters and pundits.
- Former Premier League referee Dermott Gallagher suggested implementing a stop-clock system to resolve such timekeeping controversies.
Controversy Surrounds Stoppage Time Allocation
Everton narrowly missed out on points at Anfield as they fell to a 2-1 defeat against Liverpool on Saturday afternoon. The match, which saw Liverpool take the lead through Ryan Gravenberch and Hugo Ekitike before Idrissa Gueye pulled one back for the Toffees, has become the subject of debate following the decision to allow only three minutes of added time in the second half. The brevity of stoppage time left Everton fans, including David Moyes and Jack Grealish, expressing frustration and disbelief.
9 out of 10 Premier League games this weekend had 5+ minutes of second half added time.
The only game which didn’t was the game where Liverpool were struggling to hold on Vs Everton where only 3 minutes were added. 🤔 pic.twitter.com/9EdRkB8bYb
— Francis (@FrancisChipp) September 21, 2025
Pundits and Former Officials Question Decision
Sky Sports analyst Jay Boothroyd openly questioned the rationale behind the limited stoppage time, noting, “When do we ever see three minutes in this day and age now? We never see three minutes.” Former Premier League referee Dermott Gallagher addressed the concern by explaining the stoppage time calculation process, stating that communications between VAR, the fourth official, and the referee should improve accuracy in timekeeping. However, despite this system, suspicions remained about whether the allocated time truly reflected the game’s stoppages, with Boothroyd highlighting the numerous substitutions and incidents throughout the match.
Call for a Stop-Clock Approach
Confronted with the ongoing uncertainty, Gallagher advocated for an overhaul in how time is managed in Premier League matches. He proposed adopting a stop-clock format, stating: “How would I know? I would have to clock everything! This goes back into my thing, why don’t we play 35 minutes each way, stop the clock like they do in other sports?” His comments reignited discussions on whether football should follow the lead of sports such as basketball and rugby by introducing more transparent timekeeping methods.
Player and Manager Reactions
The timing dispute resonated with players and managers alike. Jack Grealish, currently on loan at Manchester City and representing Everton, voiced his frustration in a post-match interview with TNT Sports: “We couldn’t get the last goal and it was frustrating in the second half. They were trying to slow the game down at times. 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. 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.” David Moyes echoed similar concerns, stating: “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. I find it quite unbelievable.”
Match Summary
| Fixture | Score | Goalscorers | Stoppage Time Added |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liverpool vs Everton | 2-1 | Ryan Gravenberch, Hugo Ekitike (Liverpool); Idrissa Gueye (Everton) | 3 minutes (second half) |
