Premier League release statement on controversial James Tarkowski decision as ex-referee makes damning VAR claim live on Sky

The Premier League has released a statement over VAR's decision not to send off Everton's James Tarkowski for a hard challenge on Alexis Mac Allister during the Merseyside derby against Liverpool.

Early in the first half at Anfield, Tarkowski connected with the leg of Mac Allister from a high follow-through, having slid in to win the ball from the Argentinian.

There was immediate concern over Mac Allister - who was able to continue - before attention quickly turned towards a VAR check.

The incident was cleared and Tarkowski escaped with an on-field yellow card.

🗣️ "That's a potential leg breaker"

Gary Neville believes James Tarkowski was 'very lucky' to escape red for this challenge on Alexis Mac Allister 😳 pic.twitter.com/Di28mHouq2

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 2, 2025

Dominik Szoboszlai then put his subsequent free kick, from 20 yards out, narrowly over the crossbar, with the score remaining at 0-0.

On commentary for Sky Sports, Gary Neville claimed that the Everton centre-back was 'very lucky' not to be shown a red card due to the follow-through, describing the tackle as a 'potential leg breaker'.

And former Premier League referee Mike Dean, in the Sky Sports Soccer Special studio, agreed with the Manchester United legend.

Commentator Peter Drury said on-air: "We hear that Mike Dean, who is on the panel with Sky Sports News tonight, has concurred with you Gary. He's said that, in his view, it should have been reviewed and it should have been a red card."

In a statement, the Premier League's Match Centre Twitter account said: "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."

Everton would later come closest to taking the lead in the first half through Beto, whose effort struck the left post.

The Portugal striker had already seen a strike ruled out for offside, as despite poking the ball between the legs of Caoimhin Kelleher in the Liverpool goal, he was adjudged to have been marginally in front of Virgil van Dijk in the build-up.