Why James Tarkowski was not sent off by VAR in Liverpool vs Everton game

Referee Samuel Barrott initially showed Tarkowski a yellow card, and the incident was later reviewed by VAR official Paul Tierney.

Despite expectations that Tarkowski would be sent off, VAR upheld Barrott’s decision, deeming the challenge ‘reckless’ rather than dangerous, allowing Everton to avoid going down to ten men.

A statement from the Premier League Match Centre read: ‘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.’

According to the rules, a tackle judged as ‘reckless’ by the referee warrants a yellow card.

A player who commits a tackle using ‘excessive force’ will receive a red card and be sent off.

A ‘careless’ foul occurs when a player fails to show proper attention or consideration while challenging for the ball, acting without necessary caution. Such fouls do not require disciplinary action.

A ‘reckless’ foul happens when a player disregards the potential danger to an opponent or the consequences of their actions, resulting in a mandatory yellow card.

A challenge involving ‘excessive force’ occurs when a player applies more force than necessary or endangers an opponent’s safety, leading to a red card.

Meanwhile, former Premier League referee Mike Dean expressed his shock that Tarkowski was not dismissed, saying he was ‘astounded’ by the decision.

‘I think he knows what he’s doing, the follow through is awful,’ Dean told Sky Sports.

‘He [Mac Allister] hasn’t got his foot planted luckily enough but it’s a red card.

‘It’s speed, intensity, force, the lot. It’s a terrible challenge and for me he should have gone to the screen and sent Tarkowski off, 100 per cent.

‘It’s just a horrible challenge. He had to be spent to the screen, those kind of challenges can’t happen in football because that could have broke the guy’s leg.

‘It’s a red card all day. I’m astounded.’