When Everton played Liverpool in a Merseyside derby, James Tarkowski was lucky not to be sent off for a reckless tackle on Alexis Mac Allister.
Although he was high on the Argentine midfielder with the follow-through, the English defender slid in to win the ball. Referee Sam Barrott quickly issued a yellow card to the Reds player for needing medical attention following the challenge.
Following a VAR review, it was decided not to send the official to the pitchside monitor. The Premier League maintained its stand on the decision, although Arne Slot shook his head in shock when Tarkowski wasn’t shown a red card. This sentiment was mirrored by several members of the media.
The Premier League explains Tarkowski’s choice.
Although considered “reckless,” the foul did not warrant a red card.
An explanation of Barrott’s choice to not send Tarkowski off and the VAR review that accompanied the on-field decision were posted by the Premier League Match Centre:
“The referee’s call of yellow card for a reckless foul by Tarkowski was checked by the VAR, with contact on the follow through after Tarkowski had played the ball deemed to be reckless.”
Speaking on Sky Sports, Gary Neville described Tarkowski’s decision to stay on the pitch as a “potential leg breaker” and expressed surprise. Following the review, his colleague Peter Drury told the audience that Neville and former Premier League referee Mike Dean had agreed that VAR ought to have upgraded the yellow.
The two Merseyside rivals appeared to have carried over the tension from their season’s first derby, which finished in a 2-2 tie at Goodison, to Anfield. Tarkowski was almost the antagonist of the story this time, but he was the hero that night with a spectacular equaliser in the dying seconds.
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