The official refereeing body have officially responded to the controversial moment in the Merseyside derby.
The Professional Game Match Officials Board have officially responded to James Tarkowski's controversial tackle during Liverpool's 1-0 win in the Merseyside derby at Anfield.
On Wednesday night, Liverpool took another step towards winning the 2024/25 Premier League title with a win over local rivals Everton at Anfield.
A goal from Diogo Jota settled the close fought match between the bitter rivals, with the most controversial moment of the game coming much earlier in the game as Everton defender Tarkowski committed a horror tackle on Alexis Mac Allister.
Although the Englishman was shown a yellow card, many believe he was lucky not to be sent off, and the official response from the PGMOL appears to agree with this view.
In the 11th minute of what was already a tense match, a blocked shot from Jota left the ball at Mac Allister's feet at the edge of the box until a brutal, and late, challenge from Tarkowski saw the Argentine collapse in pain.
Despite the fact that the Everton star clearly followed through on Mac Allister after clearing the ball, referee Sam Barrott and VAR official Paul Tierney decided only to issue a yellow card, much to the disagreement of fans.
And now, the PGMOL have spoken out to react to the controversial moment, revealing that Tarkowski was lucky to stay on the pitch and should have been shown a red card for the tackle.
Posting on X, Sky Sports chief reporter Kaveh Solhekol wrote: "PGMOL acknowledge that Everton defender James Tarkowski should have been issued with a red card in their fixture with Liverpool.
"The challenge saw Tarkowski clearly play the ball initially, however, the nature of the follow-through met the threshold for serious foul play
"The referee felt the challenge was reckless in real time and the VAR then checked that on-field decision of a yellow card, deeming that the referee’s call was not a clear and obvious error
"However, the view of PGMOL is that a review should have been recommended and ultimately the original decision overturned."
Journalists Henry Winter, Paul Joyce and Lewis Steele all echoed this statement, confirming that the governing body feel that Tarkowski should have seen red for serious foul play.
SBBello
1405
Medicine 💊 after death 😒😒😒
ricbcdnrz
66
This guy should be banned for at least 3 matchs it's serious foul play
TheOddOne
58
If Liverpool get 1 point for every PGMOL apology, we shall get 114 pts per season
SalahDewan
44
"The PGMOL has lost credibility. It's time for the EPL to bring in highly qualified referees from international leagues to improve the standard of officiating."
raeaostyz
23
Damn fuckin straight it was a Red, question is why is PGMOL telling us the next day? Why did both the in game referee and then VAR fail to see this? What new information was available to PGMOL which wasn't available to referee/VAR?
Gajaak
22
Now where is the punishment for the match official and VAR team?? They didn’t give red card intentionally knowing it’s a horrible tackle..
Vetabciktu
18
corruption, Officials trying their best not to let Liverpool win the league
ElvisSimba1195
17
In cases like this they should still be able to issue a red card even after the game.
raudiklop
13
If all these issues are not attended to, this game will gradually be losing fans
Jipabemoy
10
VAR referee was Paul Tierney, whom Klopp once said,”it’s always you”.
Caailmnry
9
If they believed it should have been red, why can't they give change the yellow to red, the keeper that kicked a player head was for 6 games because they felt his tackle was reckless and endangered a player.
Mutdoryz
8
This dude should not be banned. let Arsenal face him first 😂😂🥱
wiobinostu
7
VAR is not the problem. it's the officials that they employ. Incompetent