“It’s a clear offside, a very easy decision to give!” – David Moyes feels aggrieved at Liverpool’s winner being allowed to stand.
The Everton manager expressed strong frustration after Liverpool’s 1-0 victory in the Merseyside derby on Wednesday night, claiming that the decisive goal scored by Diogo Jota should have been disallowed for offside.
Moyes argued that Liverpool’s Luis Diaz, who was in an offside position during the build-up, interfered with Everton defender James Tarkowski’s ability to clear the ball, making it a “clear offside” and an “easy decision” for the officials to call.
Despite his protests, the goal stood after a VAR review, with the explanation that Diaz did not actively impact Tarkowski’s play since he didn’t move toward the ball, and Tarkowski’s interception was his own action.
Moyes, while acknowledging Liverpool were more superiority in the match, remained adamant that the decision cost Everton a point, even suggesting he wasn’t entirely surprised it went against his team at Anfield, hinting at a perceived bias.
This controversy overshadowed Everton’s resilient performance, which had ended their nine-match unbeaten run under Moyes’ second stint as manager.
“It’s a clear offside, a very easy decision to give!”
David Moyes feels aggrieved that Liverpool’s winner was allowed to stand 👀 pic.twitter.com/AtMEboHqNr
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 2, 2025
Everton boss David Moyes, speaking to Sky Sports: “I think we are a lot closer to them tonight than possibly when I came to the club than what I expected.
“Over the two games we have given them a good game. Tonight was really tight. An offside goal which they get and that’s the difference in the game tonight.”
On thinking Jota’s goal should not stand: “The players behind Jarrad interfere with him clearing it. It is an easy decision to give. I cannot understand any reason why that wasn’t given offside.”
On James Tarkowski VAR decision: “First thought it was a brilliant tackle for a derby game. A tackle we would have seen a few years ago.
“I understand nowadays things are slightly different with follow-throughs. We might have got a bit lucky, don’t put that with the goal because the goal was a different incident that won Liverpool the game.”
On the game: “Liverpool were the better team and that’s why they’re top of the league, but we showed great resilience and we stuck at it.
“A bit gut-wrenching when you feel the end result has come from something which wasn’t deserved.
“We have been on a great run, the players have been doing brilliantly well. First defeat in 10 games.
“I thought we tried to close that gap from their levels to our levels tonight. At the moment they’re the best team in the league.
“Tonight, we have done a lot of things not as well as we should have done.”
🗣️ “Liverpool were the better team, there’s no doubt about that – but I don’t like the goal, I think the goal was offside… That shouldn’t have counted.”
David Moyes’ verdict on tonight’s 1-0 defeat in the #MerseysideDerby.
🎙️ @AndyKerrtv #beINPL #LIVEVE #EFC pic.twitter.com/xoilDWvUvH
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS_EN) April 2, 2025
“I’m really surprised it wasn’t given. Or maybe I’m not surprised…”
David Moyes on Liverpool’s offside winning goal.
FULL VIDEO: https://t.co/301DuAzjZa pic.twitter.com/oXWVQuPA8a
— 𝐓𝐎𝐅𝐅𝐄𝐄 𝐓𝐕 (@ToffeeTVEFC) April 2, 2025
Moyes, speaking to BBC MOTD: “Liverpool had a lot of possession and I thought Liverpool played better in this game than the other one.
“The moments we had to make the difference didn’t quite count. I said to the players ‘in those big games you need to take them’.”
On Diogo Jota’s goal: “Look, the other part of it is the goal was offside. I don’t know if it can be any clearer.
“It was very easy to give offside and put the flag up.
“I have looked at it and it looks an obvious decision.”
On Everton’s form: “We were nine games unbeaten up until tonight and now we have a group of teams who are at a level above us and higher in the league, so it is a challenge.
“Tonight, we didn’t play well enough with the ball when we got it. But the resilience to try keep a clean sheet was very good.”
Liverpool boss Arne Slot speaking to Sky Sports: “A very, very difficult team to play against because of their playing style. That’s not only for us, but for every team because they were nine games unbeaten. A very good manager has brought them back to life. The amount of shots they blocked, the effort they put in to defend inside their own box, and then the threat they had on the counter-attack. So difficult to play against. But our boys showed immense character, I think we created more then in the away game, and in the end we scored a good goal and kept a clean sheet.
“I liked much more what I saw here then the away game. I could feel that we were getting closer, but there’s a reason they hardly ever concede a goal or a chance. They bring so many bodies back, and they’ve players who are so good at blocking shots. We knew if we wanted to win this game we had to keep a clean sheet. To score more than one goal would have been very hard.”
On the James Tarkowski VAR decision: “Alexis is OK because he kept on playing. He’s used to something because he’s from South America. 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 goal or Curtis Jones’ performance or something else.”
On Diogo Jota’s goal: “It’s not easy to score against them. Great goal, according to the rules it was a goal so no one can complain about that. There is always question marks, but the good thing is we’ve got rules. At least they just showed on TV that it’s a clear goal. I would be frustrated if I concede that goal, but then I’m frustrated about the rule and not the execution of the rule. The rule itself is frustrating because I think you always have to help, in my opinion, the offensive team.”
Slot, speaking to BBC MOTD about James Tarkowski avoiding a red card: “So many people gave their opinion and a lot of people who are not in favour of Liverpool were so clear about it.
“I would prefer to talk about Diogo’s goal or Curtis Jones’ performance at right full-back.”
On the goal which Everton felt should have been disallowed for offside: “I have just seen on television the rules and the rules have been executed perfectly.
“No intention to play the ball, can I feel frustration about the rule? Yes, I can.
“I am a manager who likes to press high which Everton doesn’t do.
“If you go all the way up to the halfway line and someone is in an offside position but has no intention to play the ball.
“We were not lucky; the rule is what it is. I would love to change the rule because it is in favour of the offensive team.
“Execution of the rule was done perfectly by the referee, but I feel the frustration about the rule.”
He added: “I felt we played much better than the away game.
“We were so many times in the final third than the away game, but Everton is in a great momentum at the moment.
“It is a strong team with a very good manager who has brought that completely back to life.
“It is even harder to create a chance against this team as they have so many bodies inside their own 18-yard box.”
On the title race: “Everton showed us how difficult it is to get your points and get your wins. We had to fight really hard for it.”
On Curtis Jones playing full-back: “He told me earlier in the season when I was planning to use him in that position that he had played that position with Jurgen [Klopp].
“Curtis showed today that he can play there very well in a game like this.”
Liverpool’s goalscorer Diogo Jota, speaking to Sky Sports: “Massive, of course. Not only because it is a derby, but because of the international break.
“It was important to start with three points and hopefully that gives us momentum for the rest of the season.
“I always believe in myself and believe that the chances will come. The three points was the most important today.”
On the title race: “The only way is to keep winning games.”
Liverpool’s captain Virgil van Dijk, speaking to Sky Sports: “They make it very difficult for you.
“They have a certain way of playing and you have to be ready for all the aspects. First half was not our greatest.
“Jota made a fantastic goal and we kept a clean sheet overall.”
On the draw at Goodison: “We didn’t watch many clips of that game. We know this game was always going to be tough. They’re very direct and on the break they can punish you.
“We stayed in the game and a well deserved three points.”
On the James Tarkowski VAR decision: “It is what it is. The referee and VAR make decisions and we all have to deal with it.”
On the title race: “Everyone wants to be in our position. Now we have to keep going and keep the same mentality as we have been doing all season.
“We have to keep going. We have a tough one again in London on Sunday [against Fulham].”
Liverpool right-back Curtis Jones, speaking to BBC MOTD: “We understand how important all the games are now. If we can win all the games then great. Of course, there’s teams out there that are fighting for different things. First game back after the break, it’s an important win. I’m happy with that.
“It’s their style of play. They like to play a first pass and then they go long all the time. The lads up top who are bigger, stronger, fast. It was hard out there. But we came away with the win and that’s the important thing.”
On playing right-back: “I see myself as a 10 or an eight, but at the end of the day I’m a footballer. If I’m playing as a 10 or as an eight, or if I’m playing off the left, as a defender, I’ll go out there. I’m a lad who studies the game a lot, I take it all in. I played in an important game and I think I was alright.”
Everton keeper Jordan Pickford speaking to Sky Sports on the James Tarkowski VAR decision: “You’ve seen at the end he apologised, it’s probably a bit of a high foot but he’s done what he’s done and he’s apologised after the game. The VAR says it’s not a red card so that’s the decision. It’s a game of football as well.”
On Diogo Jota goal: “In the moment I can’t see what’s happening, but Jarrad said it was a stonewall offside straight away. But I’m not a referee and I wouldn’t want to be. It’s a big debate and we’ll see what the referees come out and say. As a team we thought it was offside but that’s football. We’re disappointed with that decision but it can’t be perfect always.”
See more of the latest football news by clicking HERE.
“It’s a clear offside” – David Moyes was aggrieved at Liverpool’s winner being allowed to stand, here’s how fans reacted…
@JKD_LFC: Never offside. No comment that at least 2 of his players should’ve been sent off?
@Booteful_Game: Everton should have been down to 10 men for most of the game. They got off lightly.
@JamieUk80:
Moyes has embarrassed himself.
You’d have thought after all his years in the game he’d know the rules.
Clueless about the red card.
Clueless about the offside.
@DevereuxJohn13: Just like us when the ref play 4 mins over the 5 extra time minutes last game you divy only when you said you thought you were close to us over the last two games
@fuse7777: Pretty embarrassing that a premier league manager doesn’t understand the off side rule. 🤡
@liverbirdjen: The red card was even easier to give!
@MikeKearney1: Got a really good eye consultant for you there Moyesie if you need it lad
@mike_kieran17: How does a manager of a premier league club not understand the rules
@PhilBlundell: Just wouldn’t complain about a decision if your captain got off with missing 10% of the season would you?
@MichaelT1994: It’s actually mind blowing that a manager as experienced as him doesn’t know the rules 😂
@Dean_Man7: Clearly deflecting from another David Moyes bottle job performance at Anfield in which his side had 20% possession and no shots on target 2nd half by making wild, stupid claims. Sausage.
@RobertiAye: I feel aggrieved that Tarkowski was allowed to stay on the pitch after his disgusting potentially leg breaking, career ending tackle on Mac Allister. I feel aggrieved that Nunez got given a yellow card for being kicked by Pickford. Cry me a river Moyes.
@Smarty3385: Tell him to fuck off. Goodness should’ve been a red card in the first half.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login