Why VAR did not disallow Diogo Jota’s goal for offside

Following Arsenal’s 2-1 victory over Fulham on Tuesday, tension was high among the home supporters, with the Gunners narrowing the gap to nine points.

However, any nerves were quickly settled when Jota found the net in the 57th minute, sending the Anfield crowd into celebration.

Liverpool managed to hold on for a crucial 1-0 win, restoring their 12-point lead at the top of the table with just eight matches remaining.

After the game, Everton manager David Moyes expressed his frustration over the decision to allow Jota’s goal.

The Scotsman argued that Luis Diaz, who was returning from an offside position, interfered with Everton’s James Tarkowski, forcing him to go to the ground to clear the ball.

Moments later, Diaz executed a clever flick to set up Jota, who maneuvered past two defenders before slotting the ball into the net.

According to The Echo, officials at Stockley Park determined that Diaz did not affect Tarkowski’s ability to play the ball, meaning the on-field decision stood.

Following the match, former Manchester United defender Gary Neville voiced his dissatisfaction with the current rules.

Gary Neville reacts to the decision to allow Diogo Jota’s goal
He said: “When Diaz was offside in the buildup to the Jota goal and the ball gets played down the channel to him and Tarkowski goes to intercept it and he has to stretch for it cause Diaz is there.

“I don’t like that one, I’m going to whinge about that one as a defender. They score from that, I think that’s a definite offside, I know it’s not in the rules but for me that’s offside.”

Neville added: “I think Diaz is interfering with play because Tarkowski has had to stretch for it.

“Look, this has nothing to do with Liverpool, they deserved to win the game in the second half. I don’t like that one as a defender, Diaz was definitely interfering with play and I disagree with the rule, I don’t like it.”