Tarkowski Escapes Red Card in Heated Merseyside Derby
James Tarkowski was lucky to avoid a red card after a reckless challenge on Alexis Mac Allister during Everton’s clash with Liverpool.
The English defender lunged in to win the ball but caught the Argentine midfielder high with his follow-through. Mac Allister required medical attention, prompting referee Sam Barrott to issue a yellow card immediately.
VAR reviewed the incident but opted not to send the referee to the pitchside monitor. Liverpool manager Arne Slot expressed disbelief over the decision, a sentiment shared by many in the media. However, the Premier League defended the call, maintaining that Tarkowski’s challenge, while reckless, did not warrant a red card.
Premier League Clarifies Decision
In an official statement, the Premier League Match Centre explained:
“The referee’s decision to show a yellow card for a reckless foul by Tarkowski was reviewed by VAR. The follow-through contact after he played the ball was considered reckless but not serious enough for a red card.”
Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville was stunned that Tarkowski remained on the pitch, calling the challenge a “potential leg breaker.” Fellow commentator Peter Drury relayed that ex-Premier League referee Mike Dean agreed that VAR should have upgraded the yellow card.
The intensity of this season’s first Merseyside derby, which ended 2-2 at Goodison Park, seemed to carry over to Anfield. Tarkowski, who had scored a dramatic equalizer in the previous encounter, nearly became the villain this time.
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