The decision to allow Diogo Jota’s goal against Everton has been clarified, amid calls from Gary Neville for a rule change regarding offside interpretations.
Liverpool continued their Premier League title push with a 1-0 victory over Everton at Anfield on Wednesday night. After Arsenal’s win over Fulham, tension was high, but Jota’s 57th-minute goal settled the nerves and secured a crucial three points for the Reds.
However, Everton manager David Moyes was unhappy with the goal, arguing that Luis Díaz—who was initially in an offside position—impacted James Tarkowski’s ability to clear the ball. Tarkowski had to go to ground to make an interception before Díaz flicked the ball into Jota’s path, leading to the decisive goal.
According to The Echo, VAR officials at Stockley Park determined that Díaz did not directly interfere with Tarkowski’s ability to play the ball. As a result, they upheld the on-field decision, ruling that no offside offense had occurred.
Gary Neville Criticizes Offside Rule
Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville was vocal in his disagreement with the decision, arguing that Díaz’s presence affected Tarkowski’s play.
“When Díaz was offside in the buildup to the Jota goal, the ball gets played down the channel to him, and Tarkowski goes to intercept it,” Neville explained. “He has to stretch for it because Díaz is there.
“I don’t like that one—I’m going to whinge about it as a defender. They score from that, and I think that’s a definite offside. I know it’s not in the rules, but for me, that’s offside.”
Neville further stated: “I think Díaz is interfering with play because Tarkowski had to stretch for it. Look, this has nothing to do with Liverpool—they deserved to win the game in the second half. But I don’t like that rule. Díaz was definitely interfering with play, and I disagree with the decision.”
With the Premier League season entering its final stretch, debates over officiating and VAR decisions continue to be a hot topic. Whether Neville’s criticism leads to a future rule change remains to be seen.
