Jamie Carragher blasts ‘SHOCKING’ resolution by VAR to not ship James Tarkowski off – and even ex-Everton exhausting man Duncan Ferguson insists: ‘That’s a straight crimson all day lengthy’

Jamie Carragher has slammed the ‘shocking’ decision by VAR not to send off Everton‘s James Tarkowski for a challenge on Liverpool‘s Alexis Mac Allister in the Merseyside derby.

Tarkowski only received a yellow card from referee Sam Barrott for his foul in the first half of the clash at Anfield.

Carragher highlighted that Barrott should have dismissed Tarkowski given that he was in a ‘perfect position’ to view the incident. The former Liverpool defender was even more livid at the lack of action from Paul Tierney on VAR.

Speaking on Sky Sports, Carragher said: ‘In terms of refereeing, Barratt is in a brilliant position, he has to see that. It’s a shocking tackle, we know it should be a red card. For Tierney not to give it on VAR is shocking.’

Former Everton forward Duncan Ferguson agreed with Carragher that Tarkowski should have been sent off.

Ferguson said: ‘There’s no argument, straight red. He knows what he’s doing. He’s come right through him, that could have been a leg breaker. Maybe the referee it’s his first derby, he should have taken it to the monitor.’

Jamie Carragher believes James Tarkowski was lucky not to be sent off for fouling Alexis Mac Allister

Tarkowski only received a yellow card from referee Sam Barrott following his challenge

Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher criticised the lack of action from Paul Tierney on VAR

Ex-Everton striker Duncan Ferguson said Tarkowski’s challenge was a potential ‘leg breaker’

Sky Sports commentator Gary Neville stated that Tarkowski should have been sent off

Gary Neville expressed a similar belief that Tarkowski’s challenge could have been a ‘leg breaker’.

He said: ‘That’s a potential leg breaker. I think he’s very lucky there Tarkowski. There will be those that will say it’s a natural follow through. Trust me as a defender you do not need to follow through like that and with such force and it’s high. Very lucky.’

Former referee Mike Dean agreed that Tarkowksi, who was captaining Everton, could easily have been dismissed.

Speaking on Sky Sports, Dean said: ‘(Barrott) should have gone to the screen and (Tarkowski) should be off. It is a horrible challenge. It is a red card all day.’

The Premier League explained the decision on X, with a statement reading: ‘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.’ 

Tarkowski scored a dramatic late equaliser in the previous meeting between the two teams in the last ever Merseyside derby at Goodison Park.