Liverpool knew they’d have to be better during the Merseyside Derby on Wednesday.
The Reds headed into the March international break in disappointing form, losing two games on the bounce for the first time all season.
In some ways, the derby against Everton was the perfect way for Liverpool to react and assert their dominance at the top of the Premier League table.
In other ways, it was set to be another stern test for the Reds in a period where they’ve failed to stand up to several.
One of those they faltered in recently was the Merseyside Derby against Everton at Goodison Park in February. James Tarkowski was the hero for the Toffees that day, slamming home a late, late equaliser.
And after just minutes of Wednesday’s game at Anfield, Tarkowski was in the thick of things again, flying through Alexis Mac Allister with a high and late challenge. Referee Sam Barrott only saw it as a yellow card and VAR agreed. But speaking exclusively to Rousing The Kop, former official Mark Clattenburg says he saw things a different way.
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Mark Clattenburg gives James Tarkowski verdict
Tarkowski certainly won the ball against Mac Allister, but his follow through caught the Argentine incredibly high on his calf. According to Clattenburg, he was lucky to stay on the pitch.
“Tarkowski wins the ball and as he wins the ball he goes fully through with both legs, he’s off the floor and he clearly makes contact with Mac Allister’s leg,” the former Premier League referee tells RTK.
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“It’s a very difficult challenge for the referee to deal with in real time because everything happens so fast and he believes that Tarkowski wins the ball and therefore that is enough. However, playing the ball isn’t enough in modern day football.
“Many, many years ago everybody would be applauding this challenge because he wins the ball but now the criteria that referees have to look at is does he endanger the safety of Mac Allister, and while he wins the ball he clearly jumps into the challenge, he’s off the floor, he’s got speed, he’s got some force and malice and therefore when he catches Mac Allister’s leg he clearly can endanger the safety of Mac Allister’s leg.”
READ MORE: How Arne Slot reacted to James Tarkowski’s awful tackle on Alexis Mac Allister during Liverpool vs Everton
“This could easily be a broken leg and I’m very, very surprised that the VAR doesn’t recommend a review,” Clattenburg adds.
“In real-time it’s very difficult for the referee but VAR has all the angles and we all know now in modern day football playing the ball isn’t enough anymore. The player has to take care of his opponent and he doesn’t.”
Tarkowksi should have seen Red – Clattenburg
Going further in his analysis of Tarkowski’s challenge, Clattenburg claims that centre-back should really have been sent off.
“He knows what he’s doing when he follows through and therefore this should have resulted in a red card,” he says.
“The VAR has let the referee down by not recommending reviewing and giving the referee a second chance to look at this challenge, because it’s a very dangerous challenge that in modern football should not be allowed.”
With Tarkowski proving an unlikely key figure during February’s draw, Liverpool fans will have every right to see the defender as public enemy number one just now.
Should he have a similar impact at Anfield on Wednesday, the questions over Barrot’s decision will grow ever louder.