David Moyes may have just created another VAR storm at Everton following their defeat to Liverpool.
Just as Everton’s focus was turning to Saturday’s game against Arsenal, the topic has switched back to Wednesday’s refereeing display.
James Tarkowski was fortunate not to be sent off following his tackle of Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister.
Days on from that incident, the general consensus is Everton got away with one there.
However, Mark Clattenburg feels Luis Diaz was offside for Liverpool’s goal which has not gone down well on the blue side of Merseyside.
In what turned out to be a tight game between the two sides, Everton could have done with those fine margins going their way.
But it seems as if Moyes is concerned VAR may have missed another big call which could have transformed the game for Everton.
Photo by Carl Recine/Getty ImagesVAR may have got another Everton decision wrong vs Liverpool
PGMOL have admitted Tarkowski should have been sent off for his reckless challenge.
And the fact that an experienced referee like Paul Tierney could not come to the right decision is not a good look for the governing body.
To add to the frustrations, Moyes believes the VAR operators did not implement the usual protocol to check for Beto’s offside goal.
“Even with the Beto goal the other night, I don’t think the [offside] lines were painted any time on Beto’s run through,” he said.
“They never put the lines up or never challenged the lines, never looked at it to see his position.
“They may prove to be right but if that was an absolute clear and obvious one that the referee put it up I can’t understand why a flag wasn’t put up for the other one.”
Beto was praised by Everton fans on Wednesday night for his tireless display despite not adding another goal to his name.
But it seems as if his manager feels there could be an argument made that the striker was hard done by to see his goal ruled offside.
Everton don’t have long to wait for SAOT introduction
Next weekend, the Premier League will introduce SAOT with Everton’s trip to face Nottingham Forest their first experience of the advancement.
Considering Everton have now had four goals ruled out for close offsides, it is something which Moyes will surely welcome.
The goal chalked off for Beto could have completely changed the game on Wednesday night and there is a clear belief from Moyes that it wasn’t checked thoroughly enough.
What will be interesting to see is how SAOT affects decisions like the Liverpool goal where Diaz was clearly in an offside position.