Liverpool is now one step closer to lifting the 2024–25 Premier League title after Diogo Jota scored the game-winning goal against Everton. With eight games remaining, Arne Slot’s team leads second-place Arsenal by an almost insurmountable 12-point margin, increasing the likelihood that the Reds will win a record-tying 20th league championship.
However, Everton manager David Moyes maintained that Luis Diaz’s offside slip during the buildup should have disallowed Liverpool’s winning goal. The Daily Mail reports that Moyes told Sky Sports, “They got an offside goal, and that was the difference tonight.”
“I think the player behind [James] Tarkowski (Diaz) interferes with him,” the Scot went on. I believe it to be a blatant offside; it’s a very simple call to make, and I fail to see why it shouldn’t have been called. Not a single one.
During his news conference after the game, Moyes told the journalists, “He is offside, yeah.” I have expressed my disappointment but have not asked for an explanation.
It’s really simple to give. Diaz approaches from behind. Few managers, in my opinion, believe they will arrive at Anfield and receive favourable verdicts. However, I believe it was fairly simple. It is really simple to give offside, and he was in line. I had doubts about the linesmen’s performance. Both early and late flags were present.
Why Luis Diaz Was Not Given Offside
A detailed explanation has emerged
Jamie Carragher, a former Liverpool defender, stated after Sky Sports’ post-match analysis of the incident: “When you look at the rules, there was no way this was ever going to be overturned.” View the video below:
According to the Premier League’s current offside rules, a player should be disciplined by the referee if they:
Clearly block the opponent’s line of sight to stop them from playing or being able to play the ball.
Contest a rival for the ball.
When an opponent is impacted by the action, obviously try to play a ball that is close.
Take a clear action that will obviously affect an opponent’s ability to play the ball.
The Liverpool Echo has since offered a further justification for the ruling that permitted the goal to remain in place after a VAR review. They are aware that Stockley Park referees decided Diaz had no effect on Tarkowski’s ability to play the ball and his luck in avoiding a straight red card earlier in the game. Consequently, they did not think the on-field ruling ought to be reversed.
With 34 points from Wednesday’s victory at Anfield, Everton is now 15th in the standings, 14 points clear of relegation-threatened Ipswich Town in 18th place.
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