Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister says he could have broken his leg in the final Merseyside derby of the season with Everton
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
Alexis Mac Allister of Liverpool is fouled by James Tarkowski of Everton during April's Merseyside derby at Anfield
(Image: Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
It was a decision that have should have resulted in a red card as the vast majority of both sets of supporters on the Merseyside footballing divide would agree. And now Alexis Mac Allister has opened up on the tackle from Everton centre-back James Tarkowski that the Liverpool midfielder says could have broken his leg.
Tarkowski was booked by Sam Barrott for the late and poor challenge on Mac Allister in the first half of April's Merseyside derby at Anfield.
VAR checked the on-field decision of a yellow card and deemed that the referee's call was not a clear and obvious error. However, it soon transpired that the PGMOL believed a review should have taken place and the original decision overturned, which would have led to Tarkowski's dismissal.
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The Blues captain on the night revealed that he had apologised to Mac Allister after the match, which Liverpool won 1-0 thanks to a second-half Diogo Jota strike.
Tarkowski said: "I spoke to him (Mac Allister) 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."
Mac Allister was able to carry on unhurt and appeared to accept Tarkowski's apology as the pair talked on the pitch following a win which moved the Reds closer to the Premier League title.
But in a new interview in his Argentinian homeland, the World Cup winner has admitted that the Everton man's recklessness could have caused serious injury and revealed his surprise at the decision of the officials.
Mac Allister said: "It could have broken my leg twice! That they didn't send him (Tarkowski) off was incredible. If I'd had my foot planted on the ground, it would have broken my leg completely.
"At the time, I realised it was too strong. But what shocked me most was his face when he went for the tackle.
"I wouldn't say he was going to try to break me, but I feel I was lucky given the way he went in."
Mac Allister is currently injured, meaning he is currently playing no part for Argentina in their end-of-season matches.