Summarize this content to 2000 words in 6 paragraphs Liverpool are looking ahead to Fulham on Sunday after coming through the Merseyside Derby victorious and unscathed, despite a dangerous challenge from James TarkowskiVirgil van Dijk disagreed with Michael Owen(Image: Sky Sports – YouTube)Liverpool restarted their season after the international break in the best possible way, by beating Everton on Wednesday night. The 1-0 win at Anfield wasn’t pretty, but Diogo Jota’s goal got the job done in the Merseyside Derby and restored the 12-point lead over Arsenal.The main talking point from the game was VAR deciding not to send off James Tarkowski for his dangerous challenge on Alexis Mac Allister. PGMOL have since admitted they made a mistake not to recommend an on-pitch review from referee Sam Barrott, who issued a yellow card.Fortunately, Mac Allister escaped relatively unscathed and Liverpool remain on course to win the Premier League title for the first time since 2019/20. They are now preparing to face Fulham in the league on Sunday afternoon at Craven Cottage.In the meantime, there is still plenty of reaction and fallout from the derby day win the other night. Allow Mirror Football to take you through it.READ MORE: Virgil van Dijk sends honest transfer message as he reflects on Liverpool mistakeREAD MORE: Arne Slot responds as PGMOL admit controversial mistake in Liverpool vs EvertonVan Dijk clashes with OwenVirgil van Dijk sparred with former Liverpool striker Michael Owen after the win over Everton on Wednesday night. Owen suggested that the way the Reds lost the Carabao Cup final to Newcastle and were dumped out of the Champions League by Paris Saint-Germain would leave a “bitter taste” and impact the way the team reflect on their title win.The Liverpool skipper shot back: “So you’re suggesting the season is not going to be special any more?” Owen replied: “It will be, absolutely, it will be special, but I thought it could’ve been building into something very special.”“Well, I think we have to change that narrative a little bit… it’s still looking very special in my eyes,” Van Dijk concluded. “I think what you said, at the start of the season, I think no one expected us to even try to fight on all four fronts, obviously we’re at the stage now where we’re still fighting for the biggest, and that’s the reality. It’s still a possibility that this season will be very, very special.”Slot gives injury updateArne Slot could have Conor Bradley back this weekend(Image: Andrew Powell, Liverpool FC via Getty Images)Arne Slot says that Conor Bradley could replace Curtis Jones at right-back for the upcoming game against Fulham. Like fellow defenders Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joe Gomez, Bradley has been out injured and missed the Merseyside Derby.However, he now appears to be in contention. Slot said: “Trent and Joe won’t be back for upcoming weeks. Conor we have to wait and see for Sunday. Curtis did well and Jarell [Quansah] did well also.”Slot praised Jones for filling in at right-back, saying: “He has the mentality that if you give him a challenge, he likes to be challenged.” Alisson is also likely to come back into the team against Fulham, having sat out of the Everton game with concussion.Tarkowski apologiesJames Tarkowski caught Alexis Mac Allister with a poor tackle(Image: AP)Everton defender James Tarkowski has apologised to Alexis Mac Allister after his dangerous tackle in the derby. Tarkowski caught the Liverpool midfielder with a high tackle after completing a clearance and was very fortunate to escape a red card from VAR.”I spoke to him and I apologised because it’s not a great tackle,” he admitted. “When the ball fell between us, I thought he was just going to come and I was expecting a big old-school 50-50 tackle but he just pulled out the tackle and as I lunged in I followed through and caught him pretty high so I’ve apologised to him and he’s accepted it. Yeah, not a great one from me.”Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.Sky Sports launches discounted Premier League packageThis article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more£43£35SkyGet the deal hereSky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle in an unbeatable new deal that saves £192 and includes 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
