'That's assault!' - Liverpool fans go berserk as Everton's James Tarkowski somehow escapes red card for BRUTAL horror tackle on Alexis Mac Allister despite VAR check

Just 11 minutes into the Merseyside derby at Anfield, the officials faced a big call after Tarkowski slid in on the Liverpool midfielder. The Toffees centre-back won the ball first, but his follow through saw his studs land high up the Argentine's calf. VAR reviewed the incident but decided against telling referee Samuel Barrott to send him off.

The VAR decision sparked an angry reaction from Liverpool fans, with @MwepuMagic saying on X: "That’s not just a red card that’s assault. How is he not off for that?"

"In fairness there is nothing in the laws of the game about attempted murder," wrote journalist Lars Sivertsen.

@RamboFYI said: "LMAO that’s a horror show of a tackle from Tarkowski How on earth is that not a red. It’s such an abnormal way/height to follow through."

@AnfieldRd96 added: "Everton and their players are a f*cking disgrace. That’s a f*cking red card."

@DSimmondss said: "That decision is genuinely disastrous how has he not been sent off???????"

"WHAT THE F*CK HOW IS THAT NOT A RED CARD THE REF HAS BOTTLED IT," said @TheImmortalKop.

An update from the Premier League Match Centre attempted to clarify the decision, saying: "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." That means the challenge was not deemed to have involved excessive force.

After Wednesday's match, Liverpool take on Fulham at Craven Cottage before facing West Ham a week later.