The big talking point to come out of Liverpool's Merseyside derby victory over Everton was not Diogo Jota's goal — rather it was James Tarkowski's shocking first-half challenge on Alexis Mac Allister.

The Toffees center-back was cautioned after cleaning Mac Alister out during the first half, but replays showed he should have been shown a straight red card.

Shockingly, the video assistant referee did not advise the on-field referee to review the incident on the pitchside monitor, and the yellow card was not upgraded.

On Thursday, the Premier League's refereeing body (the Professional Game Match Officials) acknowledged to the BBC that the decision not to send Tarkowski off was the wrong one.

Virgil van Dijk on Liverpool win over Everton, title race and James Tarkowski tackle - 'a funny world'	Video: What James Tarkowski was spotted doing to Alexis Mac Allister at full-time after horror tackle tonight	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

Tarkowski's counterpart, Liverpool skipper Virgil van Dijk, said after the first derby of the season that the game was "Everton's cup final", in comments that will have delighted Liverpool fans and riled Everton supporters in equal measure?

It’s so obvious that it’s not necessary for me to comment.

“Everyone else did and I would prefer to talk about Diogo’s goal, or Curtis Jones’ performance, or something else than about the red card incident

He was lucky about that.”

Everton boss David Moyes was also asked about the tackle and said: "My first thought was that it was a brilliant tackle for a derby game

We might have got a bit lucky, don't put that with the goal because the goal was a different incident that won Liverpool the game."


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