James Tarkowski avoided a red card for a tackle on Alexis Mac Allister during Wednesday's 1-0 win for Liverpool over Everton
Comments
Sport
James Tarkowski and Alexis Mac Allister during Liverpool vs Everton
Richard Keys has criticised the decision not to send Everton defender James Tarkowski off vs Liverpool
(Image: Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Richard Keys described James Tarkowski's tackle on Alexis Mac Allister as "naughty" and one that warranted a red card during Liverpool's 1-0 win over Everton.
The flashpoint occurred after 10 minutes when the Englishman caught the 26-year-old with the follow-through from a thumping tackle.
The Blues captain was initially shown a yellow by referee Sam Barrott, but he escaped without further punishment despite a review from Paul Tierney in the VAR at Stockley Park.
Diogo Jota's goal proved to be enough for Arne Slot's side as they restored a 12-point lead at the top of the Premier League with eight games remaining.
READ MORE: 'Not matter a jot' - National media react to Liverpool derby win and say same thing about James TarkowskiREAD MORE: Liverpool star Alexis Mac Allister sends clear message after 'reckless' James Tarkowski tackle
Taking to social media, Keys tweeted: "That was naughty.
"That’s a red all day.
"This is a big game to give to Sam Barrott."
Tarkowski's challenge united the pundits covering the encounter for Sky Sports with Jamie Carragher, Gary Neville and former Everton striker Duncan Ferguson agreeing that the defender should have been sent off.
It was suggested that the former Burnley stopper had played the ball and was only deemed reckless.
The Premier League Match Centre wrote in a tweet: "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."
Former Premier League referee Mike Dean also disagreed with the decision from the officials, he told Sky Sports: "The challenge has gone in and Tarkowski has played the ball but when you see the still…
"The follow through is awful. He (Alexis Mac Allister) has not got his foot planted luckily enough but it is a red card.
"There is speed, intensity, force, the lot.
"He gets the ball but the follow through, it is a terrible challenge and for me, he should have gone to the screen, should have sent Tarkowski off, 100 per cent.
"What the VAR has probably said is that he has got the ball, the follow through has caught him.
"He will say normal footballing contact but it is not, it is just a horrible challenge. He had to be sent to the screen, those kinds of challenges, as you ex-players will know, just can’t happen in football because he could have broke his leg.
"100 per cent red. It is just a red card all day, I am astounded he hasn’t given it."