There was plenty to unpack from the second edition of the Merseyside Derby this season.
Both Everton and Liverpool had reasons to be annoyed by Wednesday night’s fiery clash.
The one that captured Everton’s fury was Luis Diaz coming from an offside position, playing his involvement in Diogo Jota’s winning goal.
David Moyes certainly showed his ferocity at the decision from the officials, as Moyes wasn’t surprised the goal was given, hinting at Liverpool bias.
Mark Clattenburg also thought Jota’s goal was offside, but Micah Richards had his view on an Everton star’s different controversy.
Micah Richards’ secret messages with Everton’s James Tarkowski
The other big moment was when James Tarkowski was lucky not to be sent off after a strong challenge on Alexis Mac Allister, as Tarkowski apologised to Mac Allister.
It was certainly a challenge that wasn’t the correct decision, as PGMOL have since said Tarkowski deserved a red.
Richards has given his take on the incident to The Rest Is Football, and made a strange claim that he actually converses with the Everton centre-back.
“(Tarkowski) has texted me before previous incidents, not this one,” Richards said.
“I get some work done by a physio who now works at Everton and used to work at Manchester City.
“Tarky always says to him, ‘Why’s Micah so harsh on me?’ as I’ve said he should’ve been sent off a couple of times before.
“But surely, surely that’s a red card. It was a definite red card; he had so much time just to nick the ball there, but he’s meant to hurt him.”
READ MORE: David Moyes sends subtle dig at former Everton midfielder Mikel Arteta over Arsenal ‘antics’
Tarkowski could be on red alert for Everton vs Arsenal
It is quite remarkable that VAR checked and cleared the Tarkowski tackle, as it was a shocker.
This adds to more bafflement as to how James Tarkowski hasn’t received a league red card, and this could send signals ahead of the Arsenal game.
With the PGMOL’s statement, they may want to right their wrongs and pay close attention to the Everton centre-back’s antics vs Arsenal on Saturday.
Tarkowski might have ridden his luck for too long, and he himself will know he has to be careful from now on.
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