In a thrilling Merseyside derby on Wednesday, Everton's manager David Moyes has voiced his strong disapproval over Diogo Jota's winning goal for Liverpool, stating it should have been disallowed for offside. Moyes described the decision as "very easy to give" and firmly believes it influenced the outcome of the match.

The controversy erupted during the 57th minute when Jota scored after a complicated sequence of play. Liverpool's Ryan Gravenberch attempted to pass to Luis Diaz, who appeared to be in an offside position near the Everton box. As Everton's James Tarkowski tried to intercept, the ball deflected back to Jota, who then skillfully maneuvered through the defense to score.

Moyes remarked, "There was an offside goal, which they get, so that’s the difference in the game tonight. I think the player behind Tarkowski (Diaz) interferes with him clearing it. It’s a clear offside, and I can’t understand any reason why that wouldn’t have been given." He further added, "I don’t think many managers come here and feel they get favorable decisions at Anfield. It’s really easy to give offside."

In contrast, Liverpool's head coach Arne Slot defended the goal post-match, declaring it "clear" but admitted he would have been infuriated had the situation been reversed. "According to the rules, it was a goal so no-one can complain about it," Slot acknowledged. He expressed his frustration with the offside rule itself, commenting, “The people who make the rules are not there for the love of the game; they are just there for making the rules.”

Another contentious moment arose in the match when Tarkowski received a yellow card for a tackle on Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister. Initially commended by Moyes as a "brilliant tackle," upon further review, it was clear that the challenge was potentially dangerous, leading to discussions about the possibility of a red card. "We could have been lucky we didn’t get a red because it looked high," Moyes reflected.

The heated exchange of opinions following the derby underscores the complexity of officiating in high-stakes matches. Moyes, known for his candidness, and Slot both recognize the fine line referees walk while enforcing the rules.

As Everton prepares to take on Arsenal at home this Saturday, Liverpool is gearing up for their away match against Fulham on Sunday. Fans and analysts alike will be keen to see if the refereeing controversies will continue to create a stir in upcoming fixtures.

Stay tuned for updates as we dive deeper into the ongoing discussions surrounding offside rules and their impact on football!