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The Merseyside derby often comes with a parental warning but, as James Tarkowski avoided what looked a nailed-on red card, Liverpool boss Arne Slot was left incensed with a decision which arguably overshadowed April’s Anfield triumph.

Diogo Jota scored the only goal of the game as Liverpool exacted revenge from Everton’s 98th minute equaliser two months previously.

Yet, it was the man who earned The Toffees that most dramatic of points who dominated much of the post-match discussion once again.

James Tarkowski left Arne Slot ‘fuming’ as he lunged in on Alexis Mac Allister with just ten minutes on the clock.

The sort of tackle which had the more old-school supporters longing for a return of the ‘good old days’, yet also an overly-aggressive, extremely reckless, knee-high challenge which often results in a broken leg and a prematurely-ended season.

Video assistant referee Paul Tierney, at the time, agreed with on-field official Sam Barrott.

Both felt that, because Tarkowski had initially cleared the ball from danger, the Everton defender simply could not avoid clattering into Mac Allister at full speed.

Yet when even the player in question is admitting that he might have got away with one – as an honest and apologetic Tarkowski did at full-time – that is when you know Liverpool were right to feel hard done by.

Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images

Speaking to Sky Sports, Howard Webb – the boss of the PGMOL – admits that the decision to hand Tarkowski a yellow was, in hindsight, a pretty blatant error.

“The referee recognises on the field that Tarkowski plays the ball and the way he does so is reckless.

The VAR then checks that on-field decision of a yellow card, and puts too much focus on the fact that Tarkowski plays the ball.

“You hear him talking about where else his foot can go.

That’s our most important thing as a match official.,” adds Webb, who spent eleven years as a Premier League referee until his retirement in 2014.

“We see the defender coming in, clearing the ball but following through with real high levels of force.
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