Liverpool fans have been left fuming after James Tarkowski escaped a red card for his reckless challenge on Alexis Mac Allister during the Merseyside derby vs. Everton, with the Premier League’s explanation only adding fuel to the fire.
Tarkowski flew into Mac Allister with a high challenge in the first half, leaving the Liverpool midfielder writhing in pain and Arne Slot shaking his head in disgust in the dugout. While referee Samuel Barrott showed a yellow card, many expected VAR to intervene and upgrade it to a red.
However, the Premier League later explained the decision, stating that: “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.”
That reasoning didn’t sit well with Liverpool supporters, who took to social media to vent their frustration.
“Just a whole lot of nothing. You’ve just said the tackle was reckless TWICE so why wasn’t it a red?” one fan wrote on X in reply to the Premier League. “Cover up after cover up and no accountability.”
Another supporter questioned the consistency of VAR decisions: “Clueless. VAR strikes again. It adds nothing, merely detracts from the flow and authenticity of the game. Scrap it.”
(Image: Liverpool FC)
Pundits also weighed in, with Gary Neville calling it a “a potential leg-breaker” and former referee Mike Dean insisting Tarkowski should have been sent off.
“The follow-through is awful, he hasn’t gotten his leg planted, luckily enough, but it’s a red card,” Dean said on Sky Sports. “It’s a terrible challenge, he should have gone to the screen, he should have sent Tarkowski off one hundred percent.”
As controversy swirls, one thing is clear—Liverpool supporters won’t be forgetting this decision anytime soon.
