Arne Slot can relate to David Moyes’ frustration that Liverpool’s goal was allowed to stand against Everton in Wednesday’s Merseyside derby but said that “no one can complain” that it was awarded.
Diogo Jota’s strike in the 57th minute ensured the Reds returned to winning ways after back-to-back defeats against Paris Saint-Germain and Newcastle United before the international break. But the victory wasn’t without its controversies, with several incidents for the officials to deal with at Anfield.
Perhaps the most significant was the decision to allow Jota’s goal to stand despite Luis Diaz being in an offside position in the build-up. Ryan Gravenberch’s pass to the Colombian was intercepted by the sliding James Tarkowski and amid the subsequent defensive scramble, Jota wriggled free and slotted the ball past Jordan Pickford.
READ MORE: Jamie Carragher noticed what Arne Slot did at full-time vs Everton as Liverpool earn huge derby win
READ MORE: Arne Slot reaction said it all on sideline as James Tarkowski avoided red card vs Liverpool
Everton felt the need for Tarkowski to throw himself at the ball, due to Diaz’s position, should have resulted in an offside verdict – even though the laws state that as Liverpool’s No. 7 didn’t attempt to win the ball, it was the correct call.
“Tonight was really tight and there was an offside goal which they get and that's the difference,” said Moyes after the game. “The player behind Tarkowski [Diaz] is clearly offside and it's a very easy decision to give. I can't understand any reason why that wouldn't have been given.”
But that’s not how the Liverpool boss saw things. “It’s nice to see that according to the rules it was a goal, so no-one can complain about that,” he told Sky Sports. “The rules tell us that it is a clear goal.
“I would be frustrated if I conceded it but I would be frustrated at the rules and not about the execution of the rules, because the execution of rules was perfect from the referee,” he added. “The rule in itself is frustrating.
“If a team wants to play a high press, but keep a high line, and then someone is offside you would love to see it being offside. That’s not the rules; the people that make the rules are not there for the love of the game, they are just there for making the rules.”
Slot didn’t want to be drawn on the other controversial moment of the game: Tarkowski’s tackle on Alexis Mac Allister, which saw the Everton defender only shown a yellow card. Jamie Carragher, Duncan Ferguson, Gary Neville, Paul Merson, and Mike Dean all felt Tarkowski should have been sent off.
“I think everybody has said something on it. Why should I add to it? It’s so obvious that it’s not necessary for me to comment,” said Slot, who admitted Mac Allister was lucky to avoid being seriously injured.
On Everton, he added: “A very difficult team to play against. The amount of shots they blocked, the effort they put in to defend inside their own box and then the threat on the counter with every ball they have they play long.
“It’s so difficult to play against, but our boys showed immense character today. I think we created more than we did in the away game. We were much more in their final third. In the end we scored a good goal and kept a clean sheet.”
