Liverpool news: Reds edge closer to title with Merseyside derby win despite PGMOL controversy
Liverpool beat Everton 1-0 in the Merseyside derby on Wednesday night to edge one step closer to the Premier League title.
A moment of magic from Diogo Jota just before the hour mark settled proceedings in what was a decidedly edgy affair at Anfield.
However, the game was overshadowed by controversial officiating as Everton’s James Tarkowski avoided a red card for a strong challenge on Alexis Mac Allister early in the first half.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Jack Burgess offers his thoughts on the close encounter.
Diabolical refereeing
Arne Slot’s first introduction to the Merseyside derby – at Goodison Park in February – resulted in the Dutchman receiving a two-match ban after an outburst over the officiating.
“I would be so surprised if I ever experience eight minutes of so many controversial decisions at our disadvantage again,” he had said after a pulsating 2-2 draw.
Such naivety – you could tell he was quite new to the English game, because there are only three certainties on these shores: death, taxes, and apologies from PGMOL.
There was no outburst this time around, although Slot’s p*ss was boiled just 11 minutes in when Tarkowski miraculously escaped a red card for a reckless challenge on Mac Allister.
Not only did referee Sam Barrott get it wrong, but Paul Tierney on VAR did not even advise a pitchside review.
To their credit, the refereeing gods did make the right decision 12 hours later – it’s just unfortunate that the game was over by then.
Somehow, though, that was not the worst decision in the match.
At one point, when the whistle had already blown, Jordan Pickford absolutely clattered Darwin Nunez in the box after the Uruguayan had got to the ball first.
Yet, remarkably, it was Nunez who was booked for comically rolling back onto the pitch whilst receiving treatment in an attempt to run the clock down.
It was my understanding that you could do absolutely anything after the whistle had blown, but apparently the line is drawn at roly-polies.
Pickford has history for this too, famously avoiding a red card for his season-ending challenge on Virgil van Dijk in 2019 because play was pulled back for an offside.
That said, the refs also have a history of making decisions after play has been stopped, which only adds to the confusion.
Remember when four red cards were dished out after the full-time whistle in the last Merseyside derby just seven weeks ago?
Make it make sense.
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Everton rue Beto miss
David Moyes has never won a game at Anfield in his managerial career.
After 22 trips across Stanley Park, however, the Scotsman must have thought his fortunes were changing during that first half.
Such is the difference in quality between the two teams on Merseyside these days, Everton had reverted to the usual underdog tactic of sitting back and waiting for an opportunity to strike their rivals.
It was working perfectly for the Toffees, who had kept Liverpool relatively restricted and even had a goal from Beto ruled out for a narrow offside on 20 minutes.
And then, just 13 minutes later, an uncharacteristic mistake by Liverpool skipper Van Dijk allowed Beto to charge towards Caoimhin Kelleher’s goal unopposed.
I think every single person in the ground expected the net to bulge, only for the 27-year-old to hit the post.
A goal would have completely changed the complexity of the game, allowing Everton to continue doing what they do best in derbies – frustrate the hell out of Liverpool.
But it was not to be and Moyes' miserable run at Anfield continues.
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Diogo Jota back on form
No Liverpool player needed a goal more than Jota did.
After kicking off the Arne Slot era with a fantastic goal away to Ipswich Town back in August, the season has not gone according to plan for the Liverpool striker.
A muscle injury at home to Chelsea first derailed a promising campaign for Liverpool’s number 20, and further fitness issues have plagued the Portuguese international since.
Jota’s injury record has frustrated adoring Kopites for a while now, but his stellar performances when fit mean any disappointment towards him has been short-lived.
However, with just two goals since the turn of the year, Jota has looked a shadow of himself recently, leading many Reds to speculate that it might be time to cash in on the 28-year-old.
Thankfully, Jota was back to his best in the Merseyside derby.
His quick feet before sending Pickford for the Echo was a timely reminder of what Liverpool have been missing as they look to get this title over the line.
Jota the slotter is back. How long for, is another question.
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The other scouser in the team
It was another memorable outing for Liverpool’s right-back, only this time it wasn’t the player you expected.
The international break was dominated by news of Trent Alexander-Arnold’s potential move to Real Madrid, but it was the other scouser in the team who stole the headlines when the team news was announced.
With injuries to TAA and Conor Bradley, Slot made the bold move to play Curtis Jones at right-back and it certainly paid-off.
As Jones put it when speaking to BBC Match of the Day after the game: “I played in an important game and I think I was alright.”
Just alright? Try telling Liverpool fans that.
His last-ditch clearance to deny the oncoming Jarrad Branthwaite at the back post late in the game was celebrated like a goal and was the highlight of a gritty performance from the 24-year-old.
The youth product has divided Liverpool fans ever since breaking into the team under Jurgen Klopp in 2019.
Often criticised by fans on social media for holding onto the ball for too long, the local man has never received as much love as his scouse counterpart.
But with more days like this, it won’t be long until Kopites come up with a song for the ‘other scouser’ in the team.
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Title race isn’t back on
A gruelling run of 12 fixtures in 44 days had left Liverpool looking a bit leggy.
Back-to-back losses to PSG in the Champions League and Newcastle United in the League Cup final had temporarily put a damper on an outstanding season for the Reds.
And with Arsenal’s key man, Bukayo Saka, returning after a long injury lay-off, there were faint murmurs that there may be an unprecedented twist in the Premier League title race.
However, the international break looks to have done the Reds good and, with no cup distractions, Liverpool look laser-focused on wrapping up title number 20.
They weren’t at their best against Everton, but the energy and fight that had been lacking at Wembley was back.
Slot’s men now sit 12 points clear at the summit with only 24 left to play.
Jack Whitehall is right – there isn’t enough lasagna in the world to stop Liverpool.
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