Moment James Tarkowski apologises to Alexis Mac Allister after avoiding red card for 'leg breaker' challenge on Liverpool star in Merseyside derby

James Tarkowski appeared to apologise to Alexis Mac Allister aft Everton's 1-0 decision by Liverpool.

Tarkowski was fortunate to flight a reddish paper successful the archetypal fractional of the clash for a shocking situation connected the Argentine.

As the Everton skipper attempted to wide the ball, helium followed done and connected with Mac Allister precocious connected his near leg.

However, referee Sam Barrott lone gave Tarkowski a yellowish paper and VAR authoritative Paul Tierney didn't spot acceptable to upgrade the punishment.

And, soon aft full-time astatine Anfield, the defender could beryllium seen heavy successful speech with his counterpart.

It seemed arsenic if Tarkowski was apologising for his actions, thing that was received good by Mac Allister who was seen smiling.

It look arsenic if the speech - which saw the brace clasp - ended erstwhile the Liverpool prima said: 'It's OK', earlier they walked disconnected successful abstracted directions. 

The situation had generated outrage astatine the time, with Jamie Carragher incandescent successful the Sky Sports studio, earlier helium expressed his daze that the referee hadn't sent disconnected Tarkowski. 

'In presumption of refereeing, Barratt is successful a superb position, helium has to spot that,' helium fumed. 'It's a shocking tackle, we cognize it should beryllium a reddish card. For Tierney not to springiness it connected VAR is shocking.'

Former Everton guardant Duncan Ferguson agreed with Carragher that Tarkowski should person been sent off.

Ferguson said: 'There's nary argument, consecutive red. He knows what he's doing. He's travel close done him, that could person been a limb breaker. Maybe the referee... it's his archetypal derby, helium should person taken it to the monitor.'

Gary Neville expressed a akin content astir Tarkowski's situation connected commentary.

'That's a imaginable limb breaker,' Neville had exclaimed. 'I deliberation he's precise fortunate determination Tarkowski. There volition beryllium those that volition accidental it's a earthy travel through. 

'Trust maine arsenic a defender you bash not request to travel done similar that and with specified unit and it's high. Very lucky.'

Former referee Mike Dean agreed that Tarkowksi, who now has the associated astir yellowish cards without ever being sent disconnected successful Premier League past (63), could easy person been dismissed.

Speaking connected Sky Sports, Dean said: '(Barrott) should person gone to the surface and (Tarkowski) should beryllium off. It is simply a horrible challenge. It is simply a reddish paper each day.'

The Premier League explained the determination connected X, with a connection reading: 'The referee's telephone of yellowish paper for a reckless foul by Tarkowski was checked by the VAR, with interaction connected the travel done aft Tarkowski had played the shot deemed to beryllium reckless.' 

Tarkowski had scored a melodramatic precocious equaliser successful the erstwhile gathering betwixt the 2 teams successful the past ever Merseyside derby astatine Goodison Park.

However, Mac Allister had the past laughter this clip astir arsenic a 2nd fractional onslaught from Diogo Jota gave Liverpool the triumph arsenic Arne Slot's broadside went 12 points wide astatine the apical of the Premier League.