The PGMOL have since admitted they made a mistake and that Everton defender James Tarkowski should have been sent off for his challenge on Alexis Mac Allister in the Merseyside derby
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12:25, 03 Apr 2025
James Tarkowski
James Tarkowski has confirmed he apologised to Alexis Mac Allister following his horror tackle
James Tarkowski has spoken out on his horror Merseyside derby challenge on Alexis Mac Allister, admitting: "It's not a great challenge." The Everton captain personally apologised to the Argentine following Liverpool's crucial 1-0 win over the Toffees on Wednesday night. Tarkowski claims Mac Allister accepted his apology and the PGMOL have since admitted they made a mistake in failing to dismiss the 32-year-old, who somehow escaped with just a yellow card. The Toffees skipper told Optus Sport: "I spoke to him and I apologised because it's not a great tackle. When the ball fell between us, I thought he was just going to come and I was expecting a big old-school 50-50 tackle but he just pulled out the tackle and as I lunged in I followed through and caught him pretty high so I've apologised to him and he's accepted it. Yeah, not a great one from me."
READ MORE: What James Tarkowski did after horror tackle on Liverpool's Alexis Mac AllisterREAD MORE: PGMOL admit James Tarkowski should have been sent off in Merseyside derby VAR error
Mac Allister was fortunate to avoid injury before Diogo Jota struck a second-half winner for the Reds in front of the Kop. The victory keeps Arne Slot's men 12 points clear of Arsenal at the top of the Premier League. Speaking on Thursday morning, Slot reacted to the news that PGMOL has acknowledged the error. The Dutchman said ahead of Sunday's trip to Fulham : “I think it’s always good if they think they made a mistake they acknowledge that and we know mistakes are made by us, players, referees. So many pundits who aren’t Liverpool fans were all clear about it too so it is good they [said that].”
James Tarkowski challenging Alexis Mac Allister in the April 2025 Merseyside Derby
James Tarkowski was lucky not to see red for his lunge on Alexis Mac Allister
Meanwhile, Tarkowski has also claimed Liverpool's winner should not have stood because Luis Diaz, who provided the assist, interferes with play from an offside position. He said of the goal which came after the ex-Burnley man failed to clear his lines: "I've seen the goal back and it's offside. I wasn't aware he [Diaz] was offside, so I have to play the ball, like he's onside. I end up lunging for the ball because I think he might nick in front, so he's affecting my decision to play, so if he's stood in an offside position then surely that's a deciding factor." David Moyes was in agreement, telling Viaplay: "It was offside. He came back on, he affected James Tarkowski clearing the ball so it should be offside given. The pass was put to Diaz, it was aimed at Diaz. It’s not as if it went somewhere else. I thought a couple of the offside decisions tonight weren’t particularly good overall. There was one not dissimilar at the end of the game given. They saw that one but didn’t see our one. It’s amazing at Anfield how that happens isn’t it?”
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