Alexis Mac Allister of Liverpool was fouled by James Tarkowski in yesterday’s Merseyside derby - but the Everton defender only received a yellow card.Alexis Mac Allister of Liverpool was fouled by James Tarkowski in yesterday’s Merseyside derby - but the Everton defender only received a yellow card.
Alexis Mac Allister of Liverpool was fouled by James Tarkowski in yesterday’s Merseyside derby - but the Everton defender only received a yellow card. | Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Everton defender James Tarkowski should have been sent off in the Merseyside derby.
It is understood the PGMOL acknowledges Tarkowski’s card should have been upgraded to red as the follow-through met the threshold for serious foul play. However, he will not be given any retrospective punishment for the challenge.
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. (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. (
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. ( | Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Referee Sam Barrott felt the challenge was reckless in real time and VAR checked the on-field decision of a yellow card, but PGMOL believes a review should have been recommended for the original decision to be overturned.
Speaking after the match, Toffees boss David Moyes admitted his side were “lucky” Tarkowski did not see red.
“I thought at the time it was a brilliant tackle for a derby game,” Moyes said. “You people are all asking for (physical play) and then when you get it you want a sending-off, so be careful what you wish for. I thought it was a brilliant tackle, but since I’ve seen it and come back in we could have been lucky he didn’t get a red.
“It looked high, but it depends what era you want to watch your football in.”
Mac Allister played out the full match, after which Arne Slot said: “We’re all aiming for a league without mistakes. I’m aiming for a season without me making one mistake in the line-ups I make.
“But unfortunately, this will probably never happen, not with me and not with referee decisions. We also have to accept, which is sometimes very hard.”
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