Paul Merson has new theory over why Liverpool’s ‘offside’ goal against Everton was allowed

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The fallout from Liverpool’s win over Everton has been as hotly debated as ever for a Merseyside Derby.

The Blues felt they’d been hard done by and should have seen Diogo Jota’s winning goal ruled out for offside.

Liverpool, meanwhile, had a far more legitimate grievance having seen James Tarkowski get away with a clear red card in the first-half.

In reality, there was little reason for much debate over both incidents. There was near-universal agreement that Tarkowski should have walked, while Jota’s goal was perfectly legal.

Nevertheless, Everton boss David Moyes was furious after the game, seemingly oblivious to the fact that Luis Diaz was not offside by the letter of the law.

And after Moyes’ outbursts after the Merseyside Derby, former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson has followed with a new, ‘cynical’ theory as to why Jota’s goal was not chalked off.

Paul Merson suggests new Liverpool theory

Watching the goal back in real time, plenty of Liverpool fans may have been expecting it to be ruled out owing to Diaz standing offside.

However, the Colombian made no attempt to get to the ball whatsoever, and as a result could not be impeding Tarkowski, who played the ball in a panic.

Still, despite former referee Mike Dean explaining to him live on Sky Sports exactly why the goal was allowed to stand, Merson suggested that referee Sam Barrott was trying to even things up having not sent Tarkowski off earlier in the match.

“Call me a cynic, does he give the goal because of the sending off?” poses the Arsenal legend.

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“Well, no, because of the way the law is written,” Dean answers.

“He could have easily called up for offside though and no one would have said anything,” Merson protests.

Mike Dean debunks David Moyes claims

This is a ridiculous claim from Merson given the circumstances of the goal. Diaz quite literally was not offside by the law.

Had Liverpool’s No.7 moved towards the ball he would have been pulled up. As he didn’t, there was no decision for the referee to make.

Once it went to VAR, all the officials will have been checking for is whether Diaz did make an attempt to play the ball. As he did not, again, there is no decision to make. The law agrees that it’s fine.

And despite Moyes’ being incensed that the goal had not been struck off after the game, Dean explained that all Premier League clubs were made aware of the rules during pre-season.

“All clubs had a visit in pre-season about how the law’s written and how it is,” he said. “The defenders will know if someone’s stood there and not moving towards the ball he won’t be given offside. So, defender’s know, they are all aware of it.”