One of the surprise choices for Liverpool against Everton was that Curtis Jones was given the chance to start the game at right back, with Gary Neville sharing his thoughts.

Speaking on ‘Gary Neville Podcast’, the former full back said: “I’m going to be quite ruthless here, answering this question [on whether Curtis Jones has a future at right back].

“Look, there’s no doubt there are games where Curtis Jones could play right back.

“I think [Arne Slot] may even play Quansah on Sunday at Fulham, just purely because [it’s] away from home and the idea of doing a lot more defending, you’re going to get a lot more pressure.

“But I think the idea that Curtis Jones can play full back, I think remains to be seen.”

It was a competent performance from the Scouser who was playing out of position against a side that never really tested him fully.

A clean sheet and a victory in the Merseyside derby is the perfect way to demonstrate that you did play well and our academy graduate can certainly argue this case.

Curtis Jones may see a future at Liverpool as a right back.

With Conor Bradley injured, the decision was whether to play Jarell Quansah or our No.17 at full back, with Arne Slot clearly siding with the more offensive option.

As some supporters let their feelings about Trent Alexander-Arnold’s apparent decision to leave the club known, the other local lad could see a pathway into the side via his current teammate’s position.

We saw how the pair interacted with each other after the full-time whistle and it’s clear that there’s certainly a bond in place between them, despite all the paper talk.

The Sky Sports pundit didn’t see enough from the 24-year-old to say this could happen but we will only know if this is seen as a viable option, if he keeps getting played there.

Everton suffered a 1-0 loss against Liverpool in the Merseyside derby at Anfield.

David Moyes rued Liverpool’s goal being allowed to stand as Everton’s unbeaten run came to an end.

The Reds earned a 1-0 triumph in the Merseyside derby at Anfield. Diogo Jota netted the only goal of the game in the 57th minute but it was controversial. Everton were adamant Luis Diaz should have been flagged offside for standing in an offside position when visiting captain James Tarkowski tried to clear Ryan Gravenberch’s pass. The ball fell to Diaz, who assisted Jota’s intervention.

The Premier League  responds to the controversy surrounding James Tarkowski’s challenge on Alexis Mac Allister during the Merseyside derby, releasing a statement to clarify why the Everton defender was not sent off.

The decision, which saw Tarkowski escape with just a yellow card, has sparked debate among pundits and fans alike.

Early in the first half at Anfield, Tarkowski lunged in to win the ball but followed through with a high challenge, catching Mac Allister on the leg. The Liverpool midfielder was able to continue, but concerns were immediately raised over the severity of the tackle.

A VAR check followed, but the officials upheld the on-field decision, allowing Tarkowski to stay on the pitch with only a caution. The subsequent free-kick, taken by Dominik Szoboszlai, narrowly missed the target, keeping the score at 0-0.

https://x.com/SkySportsPL/status/1907513057711902934

 Ex-Referee Slams VAR Decision

On commentary for Sky Sports, Gary Neville described Tarkowski as “very lucky” to avoid a red card, labeling the challenge a “potential leg breaker.” Former Premier League referee Mike Dean, speaking in the Sky Sports Soccer Special studio, echoed Neville’s concerns.

Commentator Peter Drury later confirmed: “We hear that Mike Dean, who is on the panel with Sky Sports News tonight, has concurred with you, Gary. He’s said that, in his view, it should have been reviewed and it should have been a red card.”

 Premier League Issues Official Statement

The Premier League responded to the growing criticism with an official statement via its Match Centre Twitter account. The statement read:

“The referee’s call of yellow card for a reckless foul by Tarkowski was checked by the VAR, with contact on the follow-through after Tarkowski had played the ball deemed to be reckless.”

Despite the Premier League’s explanation, the decision continues to divide opinion. Everton nearly took the lead in the first half through Beto, who struck the post, while another effort was ruled out for offside after a close call involving Virgil van Dijk.

With VAR once again at the center of controversy, the Premier League faces renewed scrutiny over the consistency of officiating decisions in high-stakes matches.

Liverpool star  commits  future to his current club, signing a new five-year contract that puts an end to speculation over a summer move.

The Reds had been monitoring Gomes closely, but with this deal now in place, they will need to look elsewhere for midfield reinforcements.

It’s shaping up to be an incredibly busy summer for Liverpool, with both arrivals and departures set to define the transfer window.

The club faces crucial decisions regarding three of their biggest stars—Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, and Trent Alexander-Arnold—who are all entering the final months of their contracts. By July 1st, they will be free agents unless new agreements are reached.

Liverpool Star Commits Future to Club, but questions remain over others in the squad. Ibrahima Konaté, Caoimhin Kelleher, Jarrell Quansah, Joe Gomez, Wataru Endo, Darwin Núñez, and Luis Díaz have all attracted interest from other clubs.

Whether due to contract uncertainties or concerns over playing time, their futures remain up in the air.

On the incoming front, Liverpool are keen on Newcastle’s Alexander Isak, but any deal will require lengthy negotiations.

Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez is another target, though his club won’t let him leave cheaply. With so many moving pieces, the Reds risk a drawn-out summer window.

A Contract is Signed

One transfer saga, however, is officially over. Wolves midfielder Joao Gomes has put pen to paper on a five-year contract, shutting down any potential move to Anfield this summer.

Liverpool had been actively tracking the Brazilian, believing he could fill a key role in their midfield.

Recent reports suggested that the Reds were engaged in discussions to explore a deal. However, with Gomes committing to Wolves, Liverpool will have to reassess their options. While this may be a setback for now, the club is likely to continue monitoring his progress.

Liverpool Star Commits Future to Club—but in this case, it’s a player they had hoped to sign, not one of their own. For now, Gomes remains out of reach, and Liverpool will have to shift focus to other targets as they shape their squad for the future.

Liverpool moved a big step closer to winning the Premier League title on Wednesday with a narrow win in the Merseyside Derby.

The Reds knew a big night lay ahead having had a chastening week prior to the March international break.

In retrospect, a Merseyside Derby was the perfect way for Liverpool to bounce back and send a statement to the rest of the Premier League.

It was not a pretty win by any means but the Reds got the job done, Diogo Jota’s second-half goal winning the game.

Jota has been in the spotlight of late having had a torrid time in-front of goal recently. But the Liverpool striker has had nothing compared to the attention heading Trent Alexander-Arnold’s way during the past two weeks.

With Alexander-Arnold looking likely to join Real Madrid, the right-back has become a divisive figure at Anfield. And with injury ruling him out of Wednesday’s game, he was spotted watching on from the stands during what could be his last ever derby as a Liverpool player.

Trent Alexander-Arnold enjoys Merseyside Derby

Given all the noise around him recently, you could not blame Alexander-Arnold for wishing to keep his head down and stay as in the shadows as possible.

However, the 26-year-old was watching on at Anfield on Wednesday, spotted sitting alongside Joe Gomez as the Reds recorded a big win.

With Liverpool winning 1-0 and the clock ticking deep into the six minutes of injury time, Sky Sports cameras panned to Trent watching on.

The right-back looked completely at ease, and smiled a slightly mischievous smile as the cameras hit him.

Without Trent or Conor Bradley, Arne Slot chose to field Curtis Jones in an unorthodox right-back position.

While the Liverpool academy graduate did well, Alexander-Arnold’s spot in the team should be secured if and when he makes it back from injury.

How did Curtis Jones do at right-back?

It remains to be seen exactly when Alexander-Arnold will be back in action for Liverpool. In the meantime it was at least nice to see him at Anfield for this one.

The way Trent embraces Curtis #LFC pic.twitter.com/VS9E2ulqYI

— Asim (@asim_lfc) April 2, 2025

On the pitch, right-back has become a slight problem position for Slot as the end of the season comes into view.

Bradley is Alexander-Arnold’s natural successor, but with Northern Irishman injured and Jarell Quansah not a right-back, Slot turned to Jones.

On the whole, the Scouser did a good job. As you’d expect, he looked assured in possession and was rarely troubled defensively either.

One crucial intervention late on stopped a dangerous ball into the box and on the whole Jones can be pleased with his night’s work.

Everton captain James Tarkowski approached Alexis Mac Allister to apologise for his horror challenge on the Liverpool star during the Merseyside derby.

Wednesday’s clash at Anfield was settled by Diogo Jota’s second-half strike, sending Liverpool 12 points clear at the top of the Premier League and within touching distance of the trophy.

But there was controversy in the first-half when Tarkowski avoided what appeared to be an obvious red card after wiping out Mac Allister on the edge of his own box.

While he made contact with the ball, the England international crashed through the Liverpool midfielder with his studs up high, smashing into Mac Allister’s calf and leaving him in need of treatment.

Tarkowski was booked by on-pitch referee Samuel Barrott with the incident then reviewed by VAR Paul Tierney.

VAR however agreed with Barrott’s on-field decision and advised no further action was needed.

Tarkowski’s challenge was widely condemned with former Premier League referee Mike Dean ‘astounded’ the defender remained on the pitch.

At the full time whistle, Tarkowski immediately approached Mac Allister with the two smiling and sharing some friendly words before parting on good terms.

‘I spoke to him, I apologised because it was not a great tackle,’ Tarkowski told Premier League Productions.

‘When the ball fell between us I actually thought he was going to come in and I was expecting a big, old-school 50-50 tackle.

‘He just pulled out of the tackle, as I lunged in my follow-through caught him really high.

‘I’ve apologised to him and he’s accepted it but not a great one from me.’

Everton boss David Moyes was initially convinced it was a ‘brilliant’ tackle from his skipper.

‘My first thought was it’s a brilliant tackle for a derby game,’ the Toffees boss said.

‘A tackle that maybe we would have seen a few years ago. But I understand that nowadays there’s things that are slightly different with follow throughs, so we might have got a bit lucky.’

Moyes was also frustrated that Liverpool’s winner was allowed to stand, convinced Luis Diaz was stood in an offside position when he teed up Jota.

‘The player behind Tarkowski interferes with him clearing it,’ Moyes said.

‘It’s a clear offside, I think it’s a very easy decision to give. I can’t understand any reason why that wouldn’t have been given offside. None at all.’

Liverpool reclaimed their 12-point lead at the top of the Premier League with a professional yet unremarkable 1-0 win against Everton.

The Reds were back to winning ways after last month’s losses to PSG and Newcastle United, with Liverpool one step closer to lifting the English championship after enacting revenge against Everton following their dramatic draw earlier this year.

The big talking point of the match, though, was James Tarkowski’s tackle on Alexis Mac Allister, with Mark Clattenburg saying the Everton defender should have seen red after his reckless challenge on the Liverpool no. 10.

And Everton legend Duncan Ferguson has now given his verdict on Tarkowski’s rash tackle on Mac Allister.

Duncan Ferguson slams ‘terrible decision’ not to send off James Tarkowski

Speaking on Sky Sports coverage of the match, the former Goodison Park striker was critical of the referee’s decision not to send off Tarkowski, with Ferguson in disbelief that the Everton defender was not shown a red card.

Although Liverpool ended up winning the match and claiming bragging rights in Merseyside for another season, Tarkowski’s challenge on Mac Allister was brutal and could have caused the Argentine some real damage if the foul played out differently.

And even for a former Premier League hard man in Ferguson, the Everton legend believed Tarkowski should have been sent off, with the England international lucky to not have been sent for an early shower at Anfield.

Ferguson said: “No arguments, straight red, absolutely. He knows what he’s doing. he’s come right through him, that’s a straight red all day long. It’s the referee’s first derby, maybe he’s a bit nervous to make the decision, but he should have been sent to the monitor. It’s a straight red. Terrible decision.”

Jamie Carragher agrees that James Tarkowsk should have seen red

It wasn’t just Ferguson on the Sky Sports panel who thought Tarkowski was lucky to have remained on the pitch, with Jamie Carragher also sharing his disbelief that the Everton defender escaped a red card against Liverpool.

Carragher said when asked about Tarkowski’s tackle on Mac Allister: “In terms of the referee, he is in a brilliant position. He has to see that. It is a shocking tackle and there should be no debate.

“It is an awful tackle. He knows what he is doing. Tarkowski has got previous as well, against Everton for Burnley. The referee not giving it is bad but for Paul Tierney not to give that on VAR is shocking.”

Mike Dean explains why James Tarkowski should have been sent off in furious VAR rant

James Tarkowski was fortunate to avoid a red card for a nasty challenge on Alexis Mac Allister in Everton’s Merseyside derby clash with Liverpool on Wednesday night.

Mike Dean has voiced his opinion that James Tarkowski should have seen red during Everton’s Merseyside derby clash with Liverpool on Wednesday night at Anfield, where the home side were aiming to close in on the Premier League title.

The match was charged with intensity from the start, and Everton skipper Tarkowski made a contentious move in the 11th minute with a risky tackle on Liverpool’s midfielder Alexis Mac Allister. Although Tarkowski hit the ball first, his follow-through was high on Mac Allister’s left leg, leaving the Argentine writhing in pain on the field and Arne Slot shaking his head on the touchline.

Initially, Tarkowski was only shown a yellow card for his action. The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) reviewed the incident, and Sky Sports commentator Gary Neville was among those who felt it warranted a sending off, commenting: “It is a horrible tackle. He did not need to follow through like that”. Paul Merson was also disgusted by the decision.

However, VAR decided to uphold referee Sam Barrott’s original decision. A statement from PGMOL confirmed: “The referee’s call of yellow card for a reckless foul by Tarkowski was checked by the VAR, with contact on the follow through after Tarkowski had played the ball deemed to be reckless.”.

Yet, ex-Premier League referee Dean, typically a staunch defender of VAR and officiating decisions, expressed outrage at the outcome, failing to comprehend why Tarkowski wasn’t dismissed.

During his appearance on Sky Sports, Dean said: “Tarkowski’s played the ball… but when you see the still (image), the follow through is awful. I mean – he hasn’t got his foot planted luckily enough, but it’s a red card. There’s speed, intensity, force – the lot. He gets the ball, but the follow through – it’s a terrible challenge.

“For me, he (Barrott) should’ve gone to the screen, should’ve sent Tarkowski off – 100 percent. It is a horrible challenge. It is a red card all day.”

Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock didn’t hold back as he expressed his agreement with Dean’s opinion, strongly criticising Tarkowski’s tackle during his commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live: “This challenge is nasty from James Tarkowski. He wins the ball, but follows-through on Alexis Mac Allister.”

The ex-Red continued by saying, “Tarkowski knows exactly what he’s doing in that situation. I think it is so dangerous. It is out of control from Tarkowski.”

Warnock also took issue with referee Sam Barrott’s performance, particularly for missing a foul against Liverpool’s Luis Diaz in the first half.

Warnock concluded with critical remarks about the official’s handling of the game: “He is finding this difficult, Sam Barrott. That is a foul on Luis Diaz Diaz shows the ball to Jake O’Brien and O’Brien takes him out.”