Everton vs Liverpool: Ronald Koeman criticises Mike Dean for not showing Dejan Lovren red card after scuffle

Koeman insisted that Dean should have dismissed Lovren for his involvement in the flashpoint that broke out after Ross Barkley's challenge on Jordan Henderson

Koeman vented his frustrations in the aftermath of his side's defeat (Getty)

Ronald Koeman claimed referee Mike Dean should have issued Dejan Lovren with a red card following a flashpoint involving Ross Barkley and Jordan Henderson in the Merseyside derby.

Koeman admitted that Barkley was fortunate to remain on the pitch after his challenge on the Liverpool captain in the second half but was frustrated with Dean’s decision not to reprimand Lovren for his involvement in the aftermath.

“It was a tough tackle, maybe it was a red - I don’t know,” he said of Barkley’s initial tackle, which resulted in a long delay while Henderson received treatment to his ankle.

“But, what happened after was not a fair decision from the referee,” Koeman continued. “Maybe it was a red card for Barkley. But there was a total reaction of several players, also [Seamus] Coleman – and by [Dejan] Lovren, who was already booked. The referee gave a yellow card to Coleman and not to Lovren, even though he started it. He [the referee] gave Coleman his first yellow card but not a second to Lovren. Why? I don’t know. Only a yellow to Coleman is not a fair decision out of the reaction for both teams.”

Koeman and Lovren have history. After his appointment as Southampton manager in 2014, Lovren demanded to leave the club when Liverpool made their interest known.Jürgen Klopp’s assessment on Barkley’s lunge was just as emphatic. “I think Ross is lucky and I think Jordan is lucky that nothing else happened,” he said.

Sadio Mane’s winner for his team came in injury time following a shot by Daniel Sturridge, which rebounded off the post. Sturridge had not been available to Klopp since Liverpool’s goalless draw at Southampton on November 19.

Klopp conceded that Liverpool had struggled in the first half before finding their rhythm in the second period.

“We expected Everton to make a wild game of it like they did against Arsenal,” he said. “We trained for this but it's difficult."

Liverpool’s victory propels them into second position in the Premier League, ahead of Manchester City. After hosting Stoke at Anfield, they face Pep Guardiola’s side on New Year’s Eve.