Arne Slot’s Cold Response to ‘Obvious’ James Tarkowski VAR Controversy in Liverpool’s Win Over Everton | OneFootball

Liverpool Hold Firm Amid Controversy in Merseyside Derby

Liverpool’s unrelenting pursuit of their 20th league title stayed on track with a gritty 1-0 win over Everton at Anfield—an occasion marked by drama, tension, and a contentious refereeing decision that had both sets of fans talking long after the final whistle.

This wasn’t a classic in terms of goals, but it was rich in subplots and intensity—everything a Merseyside Derby should be. Arne Slot’s Liverpool, responding to their Carabao Cup disappointment against Newcastle, were the more assertive side, but the victory was overshadowed in part by an early flashpoint that raised eyebrows and reopened familiar debates about VAR and officiating.

Tarkowski Incident Divides Opinion

The game’s most talked-about moment arrived just ten minutes in, when Everton defender James Tarkowski lunged in on Alexis Mac Allister. The kind of tackle that has, in years past, broken bones and careers. Tarkowski escaped with only a yellow card, but VAR flagged the incident for review—only for referee Paul Tierney to decline to upgrade it to red after consulting the monitor.

Arne Slot, asked post-match whether the Everton defender should have walked, chose his words with calculated restraint.

“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?” said the Liverpool boss.

Photo: IMAGO

“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.”

It was a response characteristic of Slot—controlled, pragmatic, and insistent on shifting the focus back to football rather than officiating controversies.

Diogo Jota Makes the Difference

The defining football moment came in the second half, as Diogo Jota once again underlined his importance to this Liverpool side. His well-taken goal broke Everton’s resistance and snapped their impressive nine-match unbeaten run in the Premier League.

For David Moyes’ men, it was a sobering reminder of how small margins can unravel progress. Everton had been quietly building momentum, their form under Moyes hinting at a more stable second half of the season. But at Anfield, they were second best for long spells—resilient in defence but offering little sustained threat in attack.

Slot’s System Shows Flexibility

What this performance highlighted once again is how Arne Slot’s Liverpool are beginning to evolve. The Dutchman’s side may not yet be as fluid as the peak Klopp teams, but the pressing patterns, in-game adaptations, and tactical intelligence are increasingly visible.

Curtis Jones, specifically mentioned by Slot, played with maturity and discipline—combining structure with spark. Slot’s preference to focus on these details rather than officiating narratives reflects a manager intent on long-term foundations, not fleeting reactions.

There was a time when the Merseyside Derby threatened to be defined by chaos rather than control. Under Slot, Liverpool are leaning towards the latter. If results like these continue to fall their way, Anfield may yet be celebrating a historic 20th league title in May.