Liverpool manager Arne Slot has revealed his dislike for one specific rule that ended up helping his side beat Everton in Wednesday night's Merseyside derby. Diogo Jota's strike just before the hour mark saw the Reds strengthen their grip on the Premier League title in a game that, as is so often the case between the two teams, was full of controversy.
Everton defender James Tarkowski was incredibly fortunate to escape a red card after the follow-through on his challenge of Alexis MacAllister threatened to cause the Argentine serious injury. However, the Dutchman refused to comment on that decision, instead pulling no punches on a different law that he is not a fan of.
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Arne Slot Slams Offside Rule
The Liverpool boss admitted he is not a fan of the 'interference' law
Arne Slot-2
Speaking during his post-match press conference, Slot explained that he wasn't a fan of the rules regarding players in an offside position not interfering with play, despite admitting that the rule was implemented correctly for Jota's sole strike at Anfield. There was controversy surrounding the effort as Luis Diaz came from an offside position to win the ball back for Liverpool before his teammate found the net.
The law states that the winger had to be "clearly attempting to play a ball which is close when this action impacts on an opponent," and because he wasn't, the goal was allowed to stand. But Slot revealed that even though it worked in his favour, he does not like the rule in general.
"Do I like the rule? No, I don’t like the rule. It’s a rule that is not helping the team that wants to attack. Normally we go to the halfway line, they [the opposition] kick the ball long to a player who is in an offside position, and my centre-backs feel like they have to head the ball away.
"I always ask the linesman: ‘Was he offside?’ And they say: ‘No, he was not interfering.’ I hate that rule. But the execution of the rule was fortunately for us today, well done in that situation."
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David Moyes' Post-Match Interview Causes a Stir
The Everton boss had some controversial takes from the game
David Moyes
Despite Slot's assertion that the rules were correctly implemented at Anfield, that didn't stop David Moyes from complaining after the full-time whistle, as he lambasted the decision to let the goal stand in what has been described as an embarrassing post-match interview.
"There's an offside goal, which they get. So that's the difference in the game tonight," the Scotsman claimed. "I think the players behind Tarkowski have interfered with him.
"It's a clear offside, I think it's an easy decision. I can't think of any reason that wouldn't have been given offside."
Moyes also leapt to the defence of defender Tarkowski, suggesting that his potential leg-breaker challenge on MacAllister was a "great tackle in a derby," and one that would've been praised a few years ago.
All statistics courtesy of Transfermarkt - accurate as of 03/04/2025.