Robbie Savage demands Premier League change now after ‘Absurd’ Everton incident
Robbie Savage has hit out at the Premier League after Everton’s 1-0 defeat to Liverpool on Wednesday.
The Toffees nine-match unbeaten run under David Moyes was ended by their city rivals in a tense encounter at Anfield (2 April) as the Reds took a step closer to the Premier League title.
However, the contest was marred by controversial decisions, and the backlash has continued.
Savage demands change after Everton controversy
Everton defender James Tarkowski was lucky to escape a red card for a late challenge on Alexis Mac Allister in the first half of the Anfield clash.
The Blues defender won the ball with his initial challenge but the follow through could have broke the Argentinian’s leg.
Savage believes that the Premier League needs to make a change to VAR after the officials failed to correct referee Sam Barratt’s on-field decision.
In a column in the print edition of the Daily Mirror (page 59, 5 April), he said: “The case for ex-professional players joining VAR panels to help reach the correct decisions is now overwhelming.
“After the absurd failure to send off James Tarkowski for his poor tackle on Alexis Mac Allister in the Merseyside Derby, something has to give.
“Those two incidents in midweek made me despair for players, managers, TV viewers and, especially, the supporters who pay top-dollar for tickets.”
Everton will point to Liverpool incident in derby loss
While Tarkowski may have been sent off on another occasion and the PGMOL admitted as much after the fact, the Blues will point to the Reds’ goal as another wrong decision.
Moyes was furious in his post-match media duties, but the goal was said to be legitimate due to the current interpretation of the rules.
| Stats | Liverpool | Everton |
| Possession | 74% | 26% |
| Shots | 17 | 5 |
| Shots on target | 3 | 0 |
| Big chances | 1 | 2 |
In the build-up to Arne Slot’s side’s goal, Luis Diaz was in an offside position, and while he did not intend to play the ball, the pass was towards him, and that is why Tarkowski was forced to take action, ultimately leading to the Colombian assisting Diogo Jota.
The goal was given as the referee and the VAR judged Diaz to not have impacted the Blues defender, and Everton suffered defeat in a close contest.
The Toffees will argue that if there is any kind of change to the rules, it should be to those offside rules that allowed Diaz to profit from being miles behind the Goodison Park outfit’s defence and left Moyes raging.
Ultimately, VAR and the rules need significant upgrades as the system is constantly involved in controversy and the checks take far too long, leading to further supporter frustration.