LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - APRIL 02: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Alexis Mac Allister of Liverpool is fouled by James Tarkowski of Everton during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Everton FC at Anfield on April 02, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
James Tarkowski escaped a red card for his challenge on Alexis Mac Allister (Getty)
James Tarkowski avoided what appeared to be a clear red card for his challenge on Alexis Mac Allister during Liverpool’s Premier League match against Everton on Wednesday night.
Tarkowski connected with the ball first but his follow through wiped out Mac Allister and the Everton centre-back’s studs connected high up on the Liverpool midfielder’s calf.
Referee Samuel Barrott gave a yellow card to Tarkowski and the challenge was then reviewed by the VAR Paul Tierney.
Many expected Tarkowski to be sent off for the tackle, however, VAR agreed with Barrott’s decision that the challenge was ‘reckless’ and Everton were able to avoid a red card.
A statement from the Premier League Match Centre read: ‘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.’
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LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - APRIL 02: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Alexis Mac Allister of Liverpool is fouled by James Tarkowski of Everton during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Everton FC at Anfield on April 02, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Mike Dean says he is ‘astonished’ James Tarkowski was not sent off for Everton (Getty)
Under the laws, a tackle that is deemed as ‘reckless’ by the referee can be punished by a yellow card.
A player who makes a tackle which is considered ‘using excessive force’ will be sent off.
FOULS IN FOOTBALL
A ‘careless’ foul is when a player shows a lack of attention or consideration when making a challenge or acts without precaution. No disciplinary sanction is needed.
A ‘reckless’ foul is when a player acts with disregard to the danger to, or consequences for, an opponent and must receive a yellow card.
Using ‘excessive force’ is when a player exceeds the necessary use of force and/or endangers the safety of an opponent and must be sent off.
Soccer Football - Premier League - Liverpool v Everton - Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - April 2, 2025 Everton's James Tarkowski fouls Liverpool's Alexis Mac Allister REUTERS/Phil Noble EDITORIAL USE ONLY. NO USE WITH UNAUTHORIZED AUDIO, VIDEO, DATA, FIXTURE LISTS, CLUB/LEAGUE LOGOS OR 'LIVE' SERVICES. ONLINE IN-MATCH USE LIMITED TO 120 IMAGES, NO VIDEO EMULATION. NO USE IN BETTING, GAMES OR SINGLE CLUB/LEAGUE/PLAYER PUBLICATIONS. PLEASE CONTACT YOUR ACCOUNT REPRESENTATIVE FOR FURTHER DETAILS..
VAR agreed that James Tarkowski’s challenge was only ‘reckless’ (Reuters)
Meanwhile, former Premier League referee, Mike Dean, says he was ‘astounded’ that Tarkowski was not sent off.
‘I think he knows what he’s doing, the follow through is awful,’ Dean told Sky Sports.
‘He [Mac Allister] hasn’t got his foot planted luckily enough but it’s a red card.
‘It’s speed, intensity, force, the lot. It’s a terrible challenge and for me he should have gone to the screen and sent Tarkowski off, 100 per cent.
‘It’s just a horrible challenge. He had to be spent to the screen, those kind of challenges can’t happen in football because that could have broke the guy’s leg.
‘It’s a red card all day. I’m astounded.’
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