Liverpool host Everton in the second and final Merseyside derby of the season, where the opening half has been a tense affair.

Despite dominating in possession, Everton enjoyed the better of the chances in the first 45 minutes as Beto found the back of the net only for the linesman to raise his flag for offside, letting Liverpool off the hook in a big way.

The main moment of the half, though, was a reckless challenge made by James Tarkowski on Alexis Mac Allister, with the Everton defender winning the ball off the Liverpool man before clattering the Argentine international with a dangerous follow-through, a foul that saw the centre-back booked for a yellow card.

And Arne Slot’s reaction to the tackle painted a picture that the referee got the decision very wrong.

James Tarkowski is 'very lucky' to avoid a red card for 'potential leg breaker' tackle on Alexis Mac Allister, insists Gary Neville - after Everton captain's challenge on Liverpool star	Premier League admit James Tarkowski's tackle on Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister was 'reckless' but decide to not send off Everton captain after VAR check	James Tarkowski and Alexis Mac Allister moment at full-time spoke volumes after ugly tackle

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As spotted by the Athletic’s James Pearce, Slot was seen fuming on the touchline when Tarkowski escaped a red card for his tackle on Mac Allister, with the Liverpool midfielder needing several minutes of treatment from the Liverpool physios.

Pearce wrote: “Slot fuming and understandably so.

Tarkowski is incredibly lucky not to be sent off for that.

Yes, he plays the ball initially but he’s out of control and catches Mac Allister studs up on the shin.”

With Slot being sent off against Everton the last time these two sides met earlier in the year, it’s no surprise that the Liverpool manager was as angry as he was with Tarkowski only receiving a yellow card for his challenge on Mac Allister.

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And with Everton gaining confidence after the incident, Slot will have every right to be mad with the officials for not upgrading the challenge from a yellow card to a red, with Tarkowski really getting away with one at Anfield.

It wasn’t just Slot who was left angry with Tarkowski not seeing red after his challenge on Mac Allister, with former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock baffled by the decision not to send off the Everton defender after leaving the midfielder in a heap.

Speaking on BBC Sport, Warnock said: “This challenge is nasty from James Tarkowski.

He wins the ball, but follows-through on Alexis Mac Allister.

Tarkowski knows exactly what he’s doing in that situation.

It is out of control from Tarkowski.”

Indeed, Liverpool fans and neutrals will be scratching their head as to how Tarkowski got away with a red card tonight at Anfield, and the decision not to send the England international off could play a big role in the second-half.


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