The incident, which left Mac Allister in visible pain and sparked immediate fury from the home crowd, saw referee Samuel Barrott issue only a yellow card—a call that VAR official Paul Tierney reviewed but chose not to overturn.
The Premier League swiftly released a statement via their Match Centre on X, defending the decision: “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.” This explanation, however, has done little to calm the escalating controversy.
Former Premier League referee Mike Dean, appearing live on Sky Sports, delivered a scathing critique of the officiating, calling the decision “astounding” and insisting it was a clear red card offense.
“I’m 100 percent certain—he knows what he’s doing, the follow-through is awful. It’s a terrible challenge, and he should’ve been sent off,” Dean raged, emphasizing that Barrott should have been directed to the pitchside monitor for a second look.
His comments echoed the sentiments of Sky pundits Gary Neville, who branded the tackle a “potential leg breaker,” and Jamie Carragher, who called VAR’s inaction “shocking.” Even Everton legend Duncan Ferguson, known for his hard-nosed playing style, weighed in at halftime, declaring, “That’s a straight red all day long—could’ve snapped his leg.”
The tackle itself saw Tarkowski win the ball but follow through with his studs raking Mac Allister’s calf, a move many deemed dangerous enough to warrant a dismissal under the laws of the game, which classify “excessive force” or endangering an opponent as red-card offenses.
The Premier League’s stance—that the contact was merely “reckless” rather than “serious foul play”—has fueled accusations of inconsistency, with fans and analysts pointing to past incidents, like Curtis Jones’ red card at Tottenham in 2023, as evidence of VAR’s erratic application.
Liverpool supporters on X labeled the decision “assault” and “a disgrace,” amplifying the outrage as the match ended in a tense stalemate.
This latest VAR debacle adds to a growing list of controversies this season, raising fresh questions about the technology’s role in football. For Liverpool, who saw their title charge tested in a goalless first half, the incident felt like a missed chance for justice.
Everton, meanwhile, nearly snatched a lead when Beto hit the post later on. As the fallout continues, the Premier League faces mounting pressure to address VAR’s credibility—or risk further eroding trust in the game’s officiating.
