Joe Hart in total agreement with Arne Slot over Liverpool v Everton controversy
Liverpool further strengthened their grip on the Premier League title with a 1-0 win over Everton in the latest Merseyside derby.
The Anfield clash was not without its controversy, as Everton defender James Tarkowski was only shown a yellow card for a nasty challenge on Alexis Mac Allister.
Meanwhile, David Moyes felt as though Liverpool’s goal should not have stood, deeming that Luis Diaz had interfered with play from an offside position in the build-up.
However, Arne Slot believed that the officials were correct in their decision to award Diogo Jota’s goal.
Joe Hart agrees with Slot after Liverpool controversy
Diaz was in an offside position in the build-up to Jota’s goal, but Everton defender Tarkowski attempted to clear the ball before it fell to the Colombia international.
The Colombian was deemed not to have interfered with play, and Slot agreed with the officials’ decision.
| Diogo Jota stats | 2024/25 Premier League |
| Appearances | 19 |
| Goals | 6 |
| Assists | 3 |
Joe Hart said on Match of the Day [2 April]: “I feel for David Moyes, but Arne Slot is bang on.
“When that ball is played, Luis Diaz is making no attempt to stop Tarkowski from getting that ball, he’s making absolutely no attempt to make an action towards the ball.
“He comes into play (after Tarkowski touches it), and he’s now onside.
“As Slot said, I think there’s a problem with the rule that David Moyes will have to have, but from a lawful point of view, that’s a perfectly good goal and a massive goal for Liverpool.”
Liverpool’s win over Everton was vital
Before Wednesday, Liverpool had not beaten Everton since October 2023 when a Mohamed Salah brace sealed a 2-0 win for the Reds.
After that, the Anfield giants suffered a frustrating 2-0 defeat at Goodison Park last April before being held to a 2-2 draw on away turf once more back in February.
The Reds were delighted to reclaim their local bragging rights over the Toffees, while Slot enjoyed a win over Moyes’ men for the first time in his career.
The Premier League title race is all but over as Liverpool have built an unassailable 12-point lead over second-place Arsenal.
However, Wednesday’s victory was a vital one for Slot, as not only did they defeat their local rivals, but they also showed their steel by bouncing back from their Carabao Cup final defeat to Newcastle, which came just five days after they were knocked out of the Champions League by PSG.
Only 13 more points needed.