Arne Slot was careful when discussing the incident involving James Tarkowski’s tackle on Alexis Mac Allister, but he made it clear what he thought about the decision in Liverpool’s 1-0 victory over Everton.
The challenge and refereeing controversy
Everton’s James Tarkowski avoided a red card despite a dangerous tackle on Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister in the first half. Referee Sam Barrott issued a yellow card, which was reviewed by VAR, with Paul Tierney agreeing with the on-field decision. Many, including non-Liverpool fans, believed the tackle warranted a red card.
Slot’s comments on the decision
After the match, Slot was asked about the decision and, while trying to remain neutral, noted that even those who aren’t fans of Liverpool felt the challenge should have been punished more severely. “It was clear and obvious to everyone, even people who are not Liverpool fans,” Slot said. He went on to express that he wasn’t surprised by the outcome, citing the poor level of officiating in the Premier League.
Refereeing issues in the Premier League
The incident has brought attention to the ongoing issues with refereeing in the Premier League. Slot, while not directly criticizing the officials, pointed out the inconsistency in decision-making and how these kinds of mistakes have been happening frequently. He mentioned the decision to send off Myles Lewis-Skelly earlier in the season for Arsenal and compared it to Tarkowski’s tackle, which went unpunished.
The impact on Liverpool’s win
While the decision didn’t affect the result of the match, Slot emphasized that such officiating errors could have a significant impact in future games. Despite the controversy, Liverpool secured all three points from the 1-0 win, thanks to Diogo Jota’s goal.
Slot’s remarks underscore the growing frustration with the quality of officiating in the Premier League, where poor decisions seem to happen on a weekly basis.
