It doesn’t matter if it’s a Merseyside derby, a London derby, or any other derby – the laws of the game are there to protect players and ensure their safety. So, in this case, the context of the match should not have any influence on the decision-making process when it comes to player safety.
Regarding Jota’s winner, Webb defended the decision to allow the goal despite Diaz being in an offside position. He explained that Diaz did not interfere with play or impact any defenders, so the goal was correctly awarded.
In the end, while mistakes were admitted in the match, the focus remains on upholding the laws of the game and ensuring the safety of the players on the field.
As match officials, we have to stick to the laws of the game as they are written. In this case, Diaz did not interfere with play or challenge for the ball, so the goal rightfully stood. It’s important for us to continue learning and analyzing these situations to ensure we make the correct decisions on the field.