PGMOL issues verdict on James Tarkowski red card decision against Liverpool

The Premier League’s refereeing body, PGMOL, has acknowledged that Everton captain James Tarkowski should have been shown a red card for his challenge on Alexis Mac Allister during Wednesday’s Merseyside derby.

Liverpool secured a 1-0 victory over Everton in the Premier League clash at Anfield, courtesy of Diogo Jota’s strike in the second half.

The incident occurred in the first half, when James Tarkowski was shown a yellow card by referee Sam Barrott for a tackle on Mac Allister.

The challenge was subsequently reviewed by VAR official Paul Tierney, but the on-field decision was upheld, and Tarkowski avoided a red card.

The Premier League’s official Match Centre X account explained during the game: “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.”

Liverpool manager Arne Slot dismissed the decision as “so obvious” that he felt no further comment was necessary.

On the other hand, Everton’s manager David Moyes acknowledged, “We could have been lucky we didn’t get a red.”

In a statement released to various news outlets and first reported by ESPN on Thursday morning, PGMOL admitted that Tarkowski’s challenge “met the threshold for serious foul play,” rather than being deemed simply “reckless” as initially thought.