The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) has confirmed that Everton defender James Tarkowski should have received a red card for his dangerous tackle on Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister. This acknowledgment follows an error in officiating during the crucial 11th minute of the Premier League match on Wednesday night, which ended in a 1-0 defeat for Everton at Anfield.

The nature of Tarkowski’s tackle was deemed to meet the criteria for serious foul play, but referee Sam Barrott determined in real-time that the challenge was reckless rather than outright dangerous. VAR official Paul Tierney subsequently upheld Barrott’s on-field decision to issue a booking, stating that it did not represent a clear and obvious mistake.

Nevertheless, PGMOL has expressed that a review of the incident should have been recommended, and that the decision made should have been overturned. Howard Webb, the head of PGMOL, reached out to Liverpool after the match to admit the error and plans to discuss the oversight with both Barrott and Tierney.

The Select Group 1 Management Team reviews each match, sharing insights—both positive and negative—with officials. Referees also participate in a comprehensive match review process with their coaches, alongside regular training sessions, which have been part of an enhanced program initiated since Webb’s appointment two years ago.

The Football Association (FA) has chosen not to impose further sanctions on Tarkowski. The FA intervenes in exceptional cases, but as the incident was managed during the game by Barrott and Tierney, they consider that issue adequately addressed.

The FA’s last significant intervention took place in August 2006, when Ben Thatcher received an eight-match ban for his violent conduct against Pedro Mendes during a Premier League match.

At the press conference ahead of Liverpool’s upcoming fixture against Fulham, manager Arne Slot was asked about PGMOL’s admission. He remarked, “It is encouraging when they recognize their mistakes. We all know that errors occur in football, including from players and referees alike. It’s important they acknowledge it, especially when it seems so obvious, as many pundits, regardless of club affiliations, agreed on this issue.””

Slot continued, “We strive for a season free of errors. While I aim to avoid mistakes in my selections, it’s an inevitable part of the game. I’ve been following the Dutch league, where referee criticism is prevalent, highlighting that negativity often dominates discussions around officiating. Despite mistakes, I believe this season has been fairly acceptable for English referees, with the key factor being minimal impact on the league standings, which will be evident by the season’s end.””

Slot, who previously received a red card and a two-match ban after a controversial incident at the Merseyside derby in February, demonstrated composure at Anfield. He also plans to evaluate Mac Allister’s condition today, stating, “I hope Macca is fine since he completed the match. However, sometimes players can feel discomfort the next day after the adrenaline wears off,” he added.