Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) have conceded that Everton captain James Tarkowski should have seen a straight red card for his horror challenge on Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister.
In the 11th minute, Tarkowski slid in to clear the ball ahead of an on-rushing Mac Allister. He cleared the ball with his right foot but caught Mac Allister’s leg with his studs open on the follow-through.
The referee, Samuel Barrott, who was perfectly positioned to spot the infraction, presented only a yellow card for the challenge. As per regulations, VAR (Paul Tierney for the game) also checked the incident and did not advise the referee to change his decision because it wasn’t a ‘clear and obvious error’. Liverpool players continued their appeal, but Tarkowski escaped with a yellow card.
That’s a shocker from Tarkowski 🤯
NO red card. Surely that’s a red card ? pic.twitter.com/8kg2bOxBXP
— Rangers Spares (@Rangers_Spares_) April 2, 2025
Fortunately, Mac Allister did not pick up a serious injury in the aftermath of the tackle and completed the entire 90 minutes as Liverpool claimed a 1-0 win in Wednesday’s Merseyside Derby at Anfield.
After the game, Liverpool coach Arne Slot said he was not surprised that Tarkowski did not see a straight red.
“I don’t want to comment about the situation because so many people already commented on that,” Slot said, via ESPN.
“Even people who don’t like Liverpool a lot were so clear and obvious about what the decision should have been. Was I surprised? No.”
PGMOL Admit Tarkowski Should Have Seen a Red Card Against Liverpool
On Thursday, 3 April, Premier League referee chiefs, PGMOL, admitted that the VAR made a mistake in the Merseyside derby, as James Tarkowski’s challenge on Alexis Mac Allister should have led to a red card.
PGMOL has acknowledged that the nature of Tarkowski’s follow-through could be construed as foul play. So, during the review, VAR should have advised the on-field referee to change the colour of his card.
Should James Tarkowski have been sent off for this challenge? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/eO7SF6OnAj
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 2, 2025
Arne Slot Happy with PGMOL’s Acknowledgement
Speaking to the press ahead of the Reds’ Premier League meeting with Fulham on Sunday, 6 April, Slot said it was “good” that PGMOL admitted the referees’ red card mistake in Liverpool vs Everton.
“It is always good that if they think they have made a mistake that they acknowledge that. It is good that they acknowledge the mistake, but it was so clear,” said Slot.
With the win over Everton, Liverpool have opened up a 12-point lead at the top of the Premier League rankings. With only eight games to play this season, the advantage looks unassailable.
Why Didn’t VAR Send Tarkowski Off in Liverpool vs Everton?
After the Merseyside derby, the Premier League Match Centre took to social media to explain why VAR did not send James Tarkowski off.
“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,” they wrote.
Since VAR only saw the challenge as “reckless” and not “foul play”, the on-field referee’s decision was kept.
