Arne Slot ‘hates’ offside rule that gave Liverpool win over Everton

LONDON – Liverpool manager Arne Slot said he does not agree with the offside rule that meant Diogo Jota’s goal stood to beat Everton 1-0 on April 2, but that the right decision was made.

Jota fired home the only goal just before the hour mark at Anfield, as Liverpool opened up a 12-point lead at the top of the English Premier League.

Luis Diaz had been in an offside position when James Tarkowski cut out a pass towards the Colombian.

But Diaz then pounced on the loose ball to tee up Jota for his first goal since January.

Everton boss David Moyes said he was disappointed to lose a derby to a “clearly offside goal”.

However, Slot said the officials did get the decision right as the rules stand, given Tarkowski deliberately played the ball.

“It was not offside, according to the rules,” said Slot.

“Do I like the rule? No, I don’t like the rule. I hate that rule but the execution of the rule was fortunately for us today well done in that situation.”

The goal was the second highly controversial call of the game, after Tarkowski avoided a red card just 11 minutes in for a wild lunge on Argentinian Alexis Mac Allister.

The Everton captain was given a yellow card by referee Samuel Barrott, who was not instructed by the video assistant referee (VAR) to review his original decision.

Former Manchester United captain Gary Neville described it as a “leg breaker” in his role as a pundit commentating on the match.

Even Moyes accepted that Tarkowski was lucky to stay on the field.

“Since I have seen it, we could have been lucky we didn’t get a red,” said Moyes. “It looked a high one. I think it was the follow through that looked worse.”

There was little disagreement in the Everton camp.

Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford admitted Tarkowski came in with his foot high.

“You’ve seen at the end he apologised, it’s probably a bit of a high foot but he’s done what he’s done and he’s apologised after the game,” Pickford said.

“The VAR says it’s not a red card, so that’s the decision. It’s a game of football as well.” 

Even former Everton forward Duncan Ferguson agreed, saying “No argument. Straight red. How they’ve not given the decision... it’s a straight red.

“Back in the day you might have got away with that, because he’s tackled, he’s got the ball, but he knows what he’s doing, that could have been a leg breaker.”

Former Premier League official Mike Dean questioned the VAR’s decision not to overturn the call, saying on Sky: “He should have gone to the screen and he should be off. It is a horrible challenge. It is a red card all day.”

The Premier League’s Match Centre account posted a statement to explain that Tarkowski had played the ball.

“The referee’s call of yellow card for a reckless foul by Tarkowski was checked by the VAR, with contact on the follow through after Tarkowski had played the ball deemed to be reckless,” the statement read.

Slot said he did not need to comment on the decision, as so many others had spoken out on the challenge.

“Alexis is okay because he kept on playing, he’s used to something (like that) because he’s from South America,” Slot said of the tackle.

“I think everybody has said something about it, so why should I add to it? It’s so obvious that it’s not necessary for me to comment.

“I’d prefer to talk about the (Jota) goal or Curtis Jones’ performance or something else,” added the Dutchman, who pumped his fists at the final whistle while fans chanted “We’re going to win the league”. AFP, REUTERS