Credit: Imago

Matthew Chadder

Thu 3 April 2025 14:00, UK

Alexis Mac Allister has spoken out after James Tarkowiski’s challenge on the midfielder as Liverpool beat Everton 1-0 on Wednesday.

Arne Slot’s side would have spent the March international break disappointed after the 2-1 defeat to Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley on Sunday, 16 March.

Therefore, that made their Premier League clash with Everton on 2 April all the more crucial, and Slot would have been delighted as his side picked up three points and took a big step closer to the Premier League title.

Diogo Jota scored the only goal of the match, silencing some of his critics at Liverpool, and just like the 2-2 draw at Goodison Park on Wednesday, 12 February, despite the lack of goals, this Merseyside Derby wasn’t short of a controversial moment.

Mac Allister speaks out after Tarkowski avoids red v Liverpool

Many would argue that the Toffees should have played the majority of the contest a man down after Tarkowski’s challenge on Mac Allister.

With just over 10 minutes on the clock at Anfield, the Everton centre-back came flying in with a strong tackle on the Liverpool midfielder, winning the ball but connecting with his high and reckless follow-through.

However, VAR did not see it this way and stood by the on-field decision to award a yellow card rather than a red, which allowed Tarkowski to complete the full 90 minutes.

After full-time, Mac Allister took to Instagram (2 April) and shared a series of images from the win at Anfield, including one of Tarkowski’s challenge, alongside the caption, “These matches are played with passion and soul, One more, one less”.

Slot will have few complaints after Liverpool win v Everton

Liverpool picked up three points against the Toffees, with Jota firing the Reds closer to only their second-ever Premier League title.

Therefore, Slot is unlikely to have too many complaints over Tarkowski’s challenge on Mac Allister, especially as his midfielder wasn’t seriously hurt in the incident. However, had the result turned out differently, the Dutchman might have felt slightly differently about the decision not to send Tarkowski off.