Mike Dean slams ‘horrendous’ Tarkowski v Liverpool: ‘That can’t happen in football’
Everton centre-back James Tarkowski has received a damning verdict over his challenge on Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister during the Merseyside derby from Mike Dean.
Following the international break, both sides returned to action as they went head to head at Anfield on Wednesday night (2 April).
In what was a tight first half, neither side were able to find an opening goal, with both goalkeepers relatively untested.
That meant the big talking point from the opening exchanges of this latest clash between Liverpool and Everton was created by Tarkowski.
James Tarkowski escapes red card for Alexis Mac Allister challenge
Tarkowski had been the hero for Everton against Liverpool earlier in the season, after scoring a last-minute equaliser to earn a 2-2 draw at Goodison Park with a brilliant volley.
This time around though, the centre-back was fortunate to see his game last beyond 11 minutes following a dangerous challenge on Mac Allister.
After the ball fell to the Liverpool midfielder on the edge of the area, Tarkowski slid in as he attempted to clear the ball.
Although the Everton man was able to do that, his follow through on the challenge meant his studs then caught Mac Allister high on his leg which bent awkwardly, leaving the Argentine needing treatment.
Referee Sam Barrott then showed a yellow card to Tarkowski, and although the incident was checked by VAR, the decision not to send the 32-year-old off was confirmed.
Dean though, believes that the Everton man was lucky to remain on the pitch as he slammed Tarkowski for the nature of his tackle.
Speaking on Sky Sports News, Paul Merson told the former referee that VAR Paul Tierney had deemed there was “not enough” to overturn the yellow card to a red.
In response to that, Dean said (8:12pm): “I can’t hear, so what the VAR’s probably said is ‘he’s got the ball, follow-through’s caught him’. He’ll say ‘normal footballing contact’ but it’s not.
“It’s just a horrible challenge. Had to be sent to the screen. Those kind of challenges, as players you lot will know, that can’t happen in football because that could have broke the guy’s leg. That’s a horrendous challenge.”
Liverpool to fume over key red card call
Football Insider Verdict
Liverpool manager Arne Slot was sent off by Michael Oliver after being left furious that Tarkowski’s equaliser had been allowed to stand in the reverse back in February.
While the fact this incident happened much earlier in the game means he will have time to calm down, there is a very good chance that he will have been just as angry about this incident.
The challenge by Tarkowski was an extremely dangerous one, with the clear bend in Mac Allister’s leg as the Everton man’s boot made contact showing just how bad this could have been.
Indeed as many have noted, the Liverpool star was lucky to avoid having his leg broken, and on most occasions such a challenge would lead to the guilty party being sent off.
This has been a difficult season for referees in terms of the scrutiny they have had to face over a number of decisions they have made.
A moment such as this where appears to be a unanimous sense that Tarkowski ought to have been sent off is not going to help their case either.