The Premier League has explained why James Tarkowski escaped a red card for a terrible challenge on Alexis Mac Allister, which left the Liverpool midfielder rolling around on the turf in agony during the Merseyside derby.

The incident happened in the early stages of the game at Anfield, when the two players challenged for the ball on the edge of Liverpool's penalty area.

Tarkowski got to the ball first, hammering it up field, but followed through and his studs made contact high up on Mac Allister's leg, prompting the referee to immediately brandish a yellow card.

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The decision was then reviewed by Paul Tierney — the VAR for the game — but he did not deem the challenge worthy of being upgraded to a red card, with the on-field referee not even reviewing the incident on the pitchside monitor.

An explainer published on X said: "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."

The early general consensus among pundits and co-commentators on the game appeared to be that Tarkowski was fortunate to stay on the field.

"This challenge is nasty from James Tarkowski," former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock said.

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

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