Premier League Explains Why Tarkowski Escaped Red Card in Fiery Merseyside Derby

The Premier League has defended referee Samuel Barrot’s decision not to send off James Tarkowski for his aggressive tackle on Alexis Mac Allister during the first half of the Merseyside Derby on Wednesday night.

The Everton defender lunged into Mac Allister just outside his penalty area, leaving the Liverpool midfielder in visible pain. The incident prompted an immediate VAR review, sparking debate among fans and pundits.

After assessing the challenge, VAR officials determined that while Tarkowski’s tackle was reckless, it did not meet the threshold for serious foul play—meaning a yellow card was deemed sufficient punishment.

The Premier League’s Match Centre later clarified the decision in a statement on X (formerly Twitter):

“The referee’s call for a 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.”

A Controversial Call: Was Tarkowski Lucky?

While the Premier League stood by the decision, not everyone agreed with it. Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville strongly criticized the tackle, calling it unnecessary and dangerous.

“It is a horrible tackle. He did not need to follow through like that.” – Gary Neville.

Many Liverpool fans also took to social media to express their frustration, arguing that similar challenges have resulted in red cards in past matches. Others pointed out inconsistencies in VAR decisions, fueling the ongoing debate about officiating standards in the Premier League.

The Bigger Picture: Inconsistency in VAR Decisions?

This incident once again raises questions about consistency in refereeing and VAR intervention. In previous matches, tackles of similar intensity have resulted in red cards, leaving fans confused about how decisions are made.

While some believe that Tarkowski was fortunate to escape with just a yellow, others argue that his initial contact with the ball made the decision fair.

One thing is clear—the Merseyside Derby never fails to deliver drama, both on and off the pitch. But in the broader discussion about fair play and player safety, was this the right call?

What do you think—should Tarkowski have seen red, or was the yellow card the correct decision?