Slot sidesteps Tarkowski tackle talk

LIVERPOOL — Liverpool boss Arne Slot had little to say about James Tarkowski's controversial bone-rattling tackle on Alexis Mac Allister during Wednesday's heated 1-0 Premier League victory over Everton, saying numerous people had done the talking for him.

Liverpool restored its 12-point lead over Arsenal atop the Premier League table with the victory over its crosstown rival.

But, it was the tackle that had everyone talking. Tarkowski won the ball, but his studs-up follow-through caught Mac Allister square on the calf in the 11th minute. Everton's captain was shown only a yellow, with a quick VAR review deciding the decision was correct.

"Alexis is okay, because he kept on playing, he's used to something (like that) because he's from South America," Slot said of the tackle. "I think everybody has said something about it, so why should I add to it? It's so obvious, that it's not necessary for me to comment.

"I'd prefer to talk about the (Diogo Jota) goal or Curtis Jones' performance, or something else," added the Dutchman, who pumped his fists at the final whistle while fans chanted: "We're going to win the league."

Plenty of people were vocal in their disagreement with the yellow card decision.

Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville called it a "horrible" tackle on the Sky Sports broadcast, adding: "He did not need to follow through like that."

Former Premier League official Mike Dean questioned the VAR's decision not to overturn the call, saying on Sky: "He should have gone to the screen and (Tarkowski) should be off.

"It is a horrible challenge. It is a red card all day."

Even former Everton forward Duncan Ferguson agreed, saying "No argument. Straight red. How they've not given the decision... it's a straight red.

"Back in the day, you might have got away with that, because he's tackled, he's got the ball, but he knows what he's doing, that could have been a leg-breaker."

Premier League's Match Centre posted a statement on social media to explain that Tarkowski had played the ball.

"The referee's call of yellow card for a reckless foul by Tarkowski was checked by the VAR, with contact on the follow through after Tarkowski had played the ball deemed to be reckless," the statement read.

Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford admitted Tarkowski came in with his foot high.

"You've seen at the end he apologized, it's probably a bit of a high foot, but he's done what he's done and he's apologized after the game," Pickford said. "The VAR says it's not a red card, so that's the decision. It's a game of football as well."

Offside rule

Slot also said he does not agree with the offside rule that meant Jota's decisive goal stood in the 1-0 victory, but that the right decision was made.

Jota fired home the only goal just before the hour mark at Anfield.

Luis Diaz had been in an offside position when Tarkowski cut out a pass towards the Colombian.

Diaz then pounced on the loose ball to tee up Jota to drill in his first goal since January.

Everton boss David Moyes said he was disappointed to lose a derby to a "clearly offside goal".

However, Slot said the officials did get the decision right, as the rules stand given that Tarkowski deliberately played the ball.

"It was not offside, according to the rules," said Slot.

"Do I like the rule? No, I don't like the rule. I hate that rule, but the execution of the rule was, fortunately for us today, well done in that situation."

Liverpool's win could turn out to be a decisive moment in its charge toward the title, after an outstanding campaign began to wobble in recent weeks.

Champions League elimination at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain was quickly followed by defeat to Newcastle in the English League Cup final.

Meanwhile, Arsenal's win over Fulham on Tuesday sparked the possibility that the Londoners could yet mount something of a title challenge, after temporarily closing the gap at the top.

Dropped points against a fast-improving Everton would only have fueled belief that the tension is beginning to hit Liverpool's players at just the wrong time.

The home team had to survive two scares in the first half, when Beto had a goal ruled out for offside and later struck the post after racing clear.

But, Liverpool's players held their nerve and took advantage through Jota's first goal in 11 games.

Agencies