A crunching tackle that could have been straight out of a past-era Merseyside derby nearly saw Everton captain James Tarkowski dismissed. Even his manager, David Moyes, admitted the defender was “fortunate” to remain on the pitch.
The incident occurred in the 11th minute when Tarkowski, attempting to clear a loose ball, caught Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister just below the knee with his studs. Referee Sam Barrott was quick to produce a yellow card, though a red would not have been surprising.
Television replays raised further questions, prompting expectations of intervention from the video assistant referee (VAR). However, the check, lasting a mere 10 seconds according to the Premier League Match Centre, resulted in no further action.
BBC Radio 5 Live commentator and former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock expressed strong views, saying: “Tarkowski knows exactly what he’s doing. That challenge is reckless and out of control.” Liverpool manager Arne Slot also pointed out that even neutral observers felt it was an obvious red card. Moyes himself conceded: “We were probably lucky it wasn’t a red. It looked high.”
Reckless or excessive force?
The Premier League Match Centre later explained on social media that the decision was based on the challenge being “reckless,” which under the laws of the game warrants a yellow rather than a red card.
However, many – including Liverpool supporters and pundits – argued that the challenge met the criteria for excessive force, which would have required a dismissal. Law 12 of the game states that any challenge that “endangers the safety of an opponent or uses excessive force or brutality” should be classified as serious foul play, leading to a red card.
While Tarkowski’s tackle left Mac Allister in visible discomfort, the Argentine was able to continue after medical attention. Importantly, the rules do not take winning the ball into account when determining excessive force – a tackle can still be deemed dangerous even if the ball is played first.
VAR’s role and the disputed goal
Despite the severity of the tackle, the VAR review was swift, raising questions about the decision-making process. Premier League rules establish a “high bar” for VAR intervention, meaning a referee’s on-field call stands unless a “clear and obvious error” is identified.
Former referee Mike Dean was adamant Tarkowski should have been sent off, saying on Sky Sports News: “The follow-through is awful. That’s a red card every day. He should have gone to the screen. I’m shocked he wasn’t sent off.”
Another controversial moment came with Liverpool’s winning goal, scored by Diogo Jota. The goal stemmed from Ryan Gravenberch’s pass, which James Tarkowski intercepted, while Luis Diaz stood in an offside position. Everton players protested, believing Diaz interfered with the play.
Jarrad Branthwaite immediately signaled for offside, and Moyes later voiced his frustration: “It was an easy decision. The players behind Jarrad interfere with him clearing it. I don’t understand why it wasn’t given.”
Joe Hart, analyzing on Match of the Day, saw both sides: “I get why Everton feel aggrieved, but when the ball is played, Diaz isn’t making an attempt to play it. It’s a valid goal.”
The derby’s contentious decisions will remain a talking point, but Liverpool’s victory moves them one step closer to the Premier League title.
