'That's a shocker!' - Gary Neville slams VAR after James Tarkowski avoided red card against Liverpool despite brutal challenge on Alexis Mac Allister

Speaking on The Gary Neville Podcast, the former England defender was asked about James Tarkowski's challenge on Alexis Mac Allister in the first half of Liverpool's 1-0 win, and said the centre-back was "very lucky" to stay on the pitch. Neville admitted that he had sympathy with defenders in the modern game, but insisted that the challenge was a clear red card, despite VAR failing to intervene.

The PGMOL has now confirmed that Tarkowski should have been sent off and has apologised for the error. While Liverpool went on to win the game 1-0, one has to imagine that the apology may not have gone down well at Anfield, and Neville believes VAR's failure to recommend a sending off was "a shocker" for the technology.

Neville said: "That was one where he was completely in control, knew what he was doing. He's thinking, 'I can leave one on somebody'. And he's a very lucky boy that the referee didn't see it. I mean... I don't want to plough into them here because the referees, they get ploughed into enough but that's a shocker. It's a real shocker. They won't even have to review that when they're analysing the decisions this month. I'll just be head in the hands and say we got this one badly wrong. I think that's what happens sometimes when you're second-guessing yourself."

He added: "It's a red card and no one would have complained about it. But they obviously left the decision with the on-field referee."

Everton face Arsenal on Saturday, while Liverpool play Fulham on Sunday. The Reds are 12 points clear of the second-placed Gunners.