Liverpool boss Arne Slot says welcomes the PGMOL admission that Everton captain James Tarkowski should have been sent off in Wednesday's Merseyside derby
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11:22, 03 Apr 2025
Liverpool boss Arne Slot previews the visit to Fulham on April 3, 2025
Liverpool boss Arne Slot says he welcomes the PGMOL admission that Everton captain James Tarkowski should have been sent off during Wednesday's Merseyside derby victory at Anfield.
And while the Reds' head coach concedes top-flight referees are making mistakes, he believes the level of officiating has been acceptable this term given the scrutiny on their calls.
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Tarkowski was given a yellow card only for a lunging challenge on Alexis Mac Allister early in the first half of the 1-0 win that caught the Argentina international on the calf after initially clearing the ball.
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Blues legend Duncan Ferguson claimed on Sky Sports analysis duty the incident was "a straight red call day long" and the tackle was criticised by several pundits on Wednesday night.
Slot declined to wade into the debate further but was pleased to hear the PGMOL privately concede it was a decision their officials got wrong after Sam Barrott's yellow card was not upgraded by Paul Tierney on VAR duty in Stockley Park.
"I think it's always good that if they think they made a mistake they acknowledge that and we all know that mistakes are made in football matches, by us, by me, players, referees," Slot said.
"It is good they acknowledged the mistake, but it was so clear what I said yesterday that so many pundits who aren't Liverpool fans were all clear about it too so it is good they acknowledged it but let's move on to Sunday.
"On the goal (from Diogo Jota), I conceded a goal like this when I was at Feyenoord against Atletico Madrid. Actually the linesman raised his flag but VAR interfered and said the player wasn't interfering with the situation, which I disagreed with completely.
"As I said yesterday, I disagree with the rule because I don't like that rule. Everton are playing in a low block but most teams who press high want to go halfway line to play some players offside and and when the goalkeeper goes long, Virgil (Van Dijk) van Ibou (Konate) go for a duel with an offside player.
"I always tell the linesman he is offside and he always tells me he is not interfering with play. So the rule was executed properly, in the way it should, which is good for us. But I don't like the rule."
Slot added: "I think everywhere around the world, mistakes are being made, it was in the league I come from too. We are all aiming for a league no mistakes, I am aiming for a season without me making one mistake with the lineups I make. But unfortunately this will probably never happen. Not with me and not with referee decisions.
"Sometimes we have to accept it and it is very hard sometimes, which you noticed after the away game [against Everton]. I got the idea that David Moyes was not happy after the game yesterday but he was smarter than me and went inside rather than staying on the pitch, which was probably due to his experience.
"Mistakes are being made. I follow the Dutch league in Holland and there is so much criticism of referees in Holland, so I think it is in this world. If there is a possibility to be negative, eight out of 10 people will be negative.
"So if the referee makes a wrong decision, everyone will fall over it. If I make the wrong lineup, everyone falls over it. So I think it's an OK season for England's referees, actually.
"Mistakes are being made, but the most important thing is it doesn't influence the league table and the only answer to that is when we see it at the end and we say did it influence it yes or no? But it's normal when it does. Mistakes are a part of our lives and from referees."
The Premier League leaders return to action on Sunday afternoon when they visit Fulham after Arsenal have visited Everton on Saturday lunchtime.