In a touching post-match moment during Liverpool’s 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace, assistant referee Derek Eaton was visibly emotional — and now we know why. The veteran official, embraced by Mohamed Salah, Arne Slot, and several Liverpool players, was officiating his final ever Premier League match after a distinguished 15-year career.
Eaton, who began his professional journey in the Football League back in 2010/11 and rose to the Premier League in 2013/14, officiated 218 top-flight matches and 25 FA Cup ties. As he retires this summer, Liverpool’s heartfelt gesture in his final appearance was a classy tribute to a respected servant of the game, despite rival fans jokingly implying bias.
The Premier League title celebrations were made even more poignant by this farewell, symbolizing the human side of football’s grandest sta
ge.
