Tarkowski and Tierney ‘face FA sanction’ after Liverpool v Everton controversy
Arne Slot saw Liverpool get back on track with a 1-0 win against Everton on Wednesday at Anfield.
The Merseyside derby didn’t explode quite as much as last time at Goodison Park, but Diogo Jota’s winning goal for the Reds faced offside calls.
James Tarkowski was also lucky to stay on the field after a shocking foul on Alexis Mac Allister, which saw the centre-back escape a red card.
PGMOL sources have now claimed that Tarkowski should have been sent off for the foul, even though VAR Paul Tierney chose not to tell referee Sam Barrott to overturn his decision.
Tarkowski could still face punishment for Liverpool foul
Thankfully for Slot’s men, they still came away with all three points against their rivals and therefore, retained their 12-point lead at the top of the Premier League table over Arsenal.
However, had things gone differently, this could have proven to be a costly decision as the Reds look towards getting their hands on the Premier League trophy this term.
It may not have made a difference to the outcome of proceedings on Wednesday, but Tarkowski could be set to face retrospective action for Everton, according to Keith Hackett.
The former FIFA official told Goodison News: “I don’t think anyone with an ounce of knowledge about football could justify that the challenge by the Everton player wasn’t a red card.
“PGMOL has accepted its mistake, but it’s too late. I would suggest that the FA should take retrospective action and charge the Everton player.”
Hackett went on to suggest that further punishment could also be handed out: “The fact that Paul Tierney, in the VAR chair, an experienced former Premier League referee and now a permanent VAR operator, got this so wrong is the real worry.
“Immediately after that yellow card was shown, he should have intervened and instructed the referee to review his decision
“The fact that he did not should see him receive a sanction for this act of incompetence. He let his colleague down.”
Slot and Liverpool edging closer
It was a frustrating evening for Slot and his men after Tarkowski remained on the pitch, despite the challenge being a possible leg-breaker.
Thankfully, it didn’t make a difference to the result on the evening and while retrospective action won’t change that, it does acknowledge that the Reds were on the wrong end of the call.
Ironically, Liverpool may not want to see Tarkowski ruled out for Everton, as they prepare to take on Arsenal next, who are their nearest challengers.
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Points |
| Liverpool | 30 | 22 | 7 | 1 | 73 |
| Arsenal | 30 | 17 | 10 | 3 | 61 |
Slot’s side does look fairly certain to lift the title in the Dutchman’s first season in charge, but a result for the Toffees after more injury woes for Arsenal could be a massive boost.
As Hackett says, the level of officiating in the game is not acceptable, and there certainly has to be plenty of work done with the referees in preparation for next season.