Liverpool Beat Everton Amid VAR Chaos and Referee Controversy | OneFootball

Liverpool Edge Everton in Controversial Derby Marred by Referee Incompetence

The latest Merseyside derby saw Liverpool grind out a hard-fought 1-0 win over Everton at Anfield, but it was a clash dominated not by tactical battles or individual brilliance, but by the staggering ineptitude of match officials. Speaking on the Daily Red Podcast, Dave Hendrick didn’t hold back in his assessment of both the performance and the officiating, labelling it “one of the worst refereeing performances I’ve ever seen”.

Derby Win Overshadowed by Referee Blunders

Liverpool emerged victorious thanks to a composed finish from Diogo Jota, but much of the post-match conversation centred on referee decisions that left fans—and Hendrick—bewildered.

From the outset, Hendrick claimed Liverpool were “playing against 13 men—Everton’s 11, the referee in their pocket, and the worst fella imaginable on VAR.” The tone was set when Luis Díaz was clearly fouled after keeping the ball in play and dribbling into the box, only for the referee to incorrectly award a corner. “VAR didn’t seem to check it properly and just said, ‘Oh yeah, corner, that’s fine,’” Hendrick noted.

Then came James Tarkowski’s “absolute horror show of a challenge” on Alexis Mac Allister, which somehow resulted in just a yellow card. “Both his feet were off the ground,” said Hendrick. “He went in recklessly with both feet off the ground with the intent to injure—and it should have been a red card.”

Jota’s Goal, the Diaz Offside Debate, and Pickford’s Acrobatics

The match-winning moment arrived in the 57th minute. Jota finished brilliantly after a flowing move involving Díaz, but Everton fans were quick to suggest the goal should have been ruled out for offside. Hendrick dismissed the idea entirely: “Luis Díaz does not make any effort to play the ball. He doesn’t influence what Tarkowski does. Tarkowski makes a mistake, and we punish it.”

Jota’s composed dribble and finish left Pickford stranded—literally. “Jordan Pickford decides to just leap to one side—I’m not really sure why—but he just leapt out of the way and left the goal gaping,” said Hendrick.

Second-Half Improvements and Tactical Adjustments

Despite a sluggish first half where Liverpool’s midfield were “almost fearful—slow, ponderous, sterile football,” Hendrick praised the second-half turnaround. “Virgil and Ibou played much more aggressively. Beto never got a kick. The midfield started playing with a bit of purpose.”

He also noted that “Diaz continued to be a problem. Jota started to really warm into the game. But we still weren’t getting the ball to Salah quick enough.”

Curtis Jones’ surprise selection at right-back was another key point. “Curtis played really well,” Hendrick admitted. “Not sure I’d want to see him there against Fulham, but he was certainly very good last night.”

Everton’s Futility and the ‘Moist’ Insult

In trademark style, Hendrick didn’t shy away from mocking Everton’s lack of success. “Any Everton fan born on or after the 21st of May 1995 has never seen their club win anything more than a corner kick,” he quipped.

And on manager David Moyes? “David Moist—like a wet wipe—because that’s what he is.” Hendrick went as far as suggesting that Liverpool should “buy their new stadium and turn it into a public urinal.”

Everton’s chances were few and far between. “They had one chance in the game,” Hendrick said. “Caoimhin Kelleher didn’t have a save to make.” He dismantled claims from some journalists that Everton deserved something from the match: “They had 26% of the ball, no shots on target, and their goalkeeper was time-wasting while they were behind.”

Referee Tierney Under Fire

Hendrick was scathing in his review of referee Paul Tierney. “He couldn’t referee a race between two snails up a wall,” he declared, describing Tierney’s decisions as “staggeringly bad” and suggesting “you’d have a hard time watching that and not thinking that guy is on the take.”

From denying clear penalties for Díaz and Darwin Núñez to stopping a potential 3v1 Liverpool counterattack in stoppage time, Tierney’s performance came under sustained fire. Hendrick even revealed that the PGMOL had admitted Tierney’s failure to send off Tarkowski was a mistake—his fourth major VAR error this season.

Title Race Perspective

Despite the chaos, Liverpool remain top of the Premier League and on track to win the title under Arne Slot. Hendrick was quick to shut down criticism of the Dutchman: “People saying there’s major questions to be asked about a man about to win a league title in his first season… that’s how odd some of our fanbase is.”

With 13 points needed, and a favourable run of fixtures ahead, Hendrick concluded: “Beating Tottenham would win us the league. It’d be a very nice time to put together a five-game winning streak.”