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Liverpool supporters endured a tense wait as VAR reviewed James Tarkowski’s stoppage-time equalizer in Wednesday night’s Merseyside derby, hoping for a possible overturn. However, the goal was ultimately upheld, forcing the Reds to settle for just one point instead of the expected three.
Tarkowski’s dramatic 98th-minute strike was just one of several contentious moments in a heated match that, despite having no red cards shown during play, saw four issued after the final whistle. Once again, referee Michael Oliver found himself at the center of controversy.
Conceding a goal so late in the game is always frustrating, but when it happens against a fierce local rival under questionable circumstances, the disappointment intensifies. The match had initially been allocated five minutes of stoppage time, yet play continued beyond that when Tarkowski found the net. A two-minute delay at the 93rd minute, caused by a collision between Jarrad Branthwaite and Carlos Alcaraz, contributed to the extended period.
### VAR’s Verdict Favors Everton
Everton’s celebrations were briefly put on hold as officials reviewed the goal for a potential offside in the buildup and a possible foul by Beto on Ibrahima Konate inside the penalty box. In the end, both decisions went Everton’s way, though they may have been fortunate.
According to *Football Offsides* on X, which independently analyzes VAR calls, Abdoulaye Doucouré appeared to be marginally offside before Tarkowski’s goal. However, due to the system’s built-in margin of tolerance, the goal was allowed to stand.
### The Ongoing Debate Over VAR Consistency
While some may argue that a close offside call shouldn’t necessarily invalidate a goal, offside decisions are typically seen as definitive—a player is either offside or they are not. Liverpool fans will undoubtedly remember a similar scenario from October 2020, when Sadio Mane was judged to be offside by the smallest of margins, leading to Jordan Henderson’s late winning goal being disallowed.
The frustration from that decision was compounded by the fact that Jordan Pickford went unpunished for a reckless challenge that resulted in Virgil van Dijk suffering a season-ending ACL injury.
Beyond the offside controversy, there was also a question about Beto’s involvement in the goal. The Everton forward appeared to shove Konate in the penalty area just before Tarkowski’s shot, yet the VAR officials chose not to intervene. The lack of scrutiny on this aspect of the play raises further questions about the consistency of officiating decisions.
Liverpool’s overall performance may not have lived up to the high standards expected of a Premier League title contender, but the nature of Everton’s late equalizer leaves a bitter taste. With the result now set in stone, the Reds must regroup and shift their focus to securing a victory against Wolves on Sunday.
