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Liverpool re-established their 12-point lead at the top of the Premier League with Diogo Jota's strike against Everton settling a second controversial Merseyside derby of the season.

Jota’s first league goal since mid-January was potentially one of his most important of the campaign as the 1-0 victory kept second-placed Arsenal at more than arm’s length.

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It also ended Everton manager David Moyes’ nine-match unbeaten league run since taking over in January and extended his personal record to 22 Anfield visits without a win.

But the main talking point was Everton defender James Tarkowski seemingly getting away with an excessive challenge on Alexis Mac Allister early in the first half.

That former Toffees striker and renowned hard man Duncan Ferguson called it a "straight red all day" told its own story.

Sam Barrott had never refereed at Anfield before, never mind handled a Merseyside derby, and there were times when it looked like he was reluctant to make a decision.

None more so than Tarkowski’s 11th-minute tackle which appeared to receive universal condemnation from pundits and commentators for its unnecessary ferocity.

Jarrad Branthwaite had just bailed out his centre-back partner by blocking a shot by Jota, who had turned Tarkowski too easily on the edge of the area.

The veteran defender seemed to want to re-establish his authority and the next time the ball came his way he took it cleanly but followed through wildly, catching Mac Allister halfway up his calf.

Barrott issued a yellow card and VAR saw no reason to upgrade it, with the Premier League subsequently describing the tackle as "reckless". Ferguson, a Sky Sports pundit, said the decision was "unbelievable".

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot, who had been