Jordan Pickford defends James Tarkowksi for horror challenge on Alexis Mac Allister and insists Liverpool's winning goal should have been disallowed in feisty Merseyside derby

Tarkowski was booked when he caught the midfielder in the early stages of the Merseyside derby on Wednesday, with many arguing at the time that he should have been sent off. The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) has since ruled that the defender should have been shown a red card, with Reds boss Arne Slot giving his verdict on their acknowledged mistake.

Tarkowski, 32, has since apologised to Mac Allister for his challenge, but goalkeeper Pickford has shielded his team-mate from some of the criticism, insisting that the Argentina international is "tough" enough to handle such a tackle.

"He’s got the ball," Pickford argued. "I think he went in with more impact than force, but I think he’s apologised to Mac Allister. He’s a tough South American. I think he’ll be alright. But it’s football. I think 20 years ago, it’s fine but not in this day and age but he’s apologised and I think that’s all he can do."

Premier League leaders Liverpool sealed a 1-0 win thanks to Diogo Jota's second-half strike, which Toffees manager David Moyes argued should have been disallowed. Pickford is in agreement with his boss as he felt Luis Diaz was in an offside position during the build up.

"I’m not the ref and I don’t think I’d ever want to be a ref," he said. "Hopefully, we get a better explanation because Diaz is offside looking back at the picture. Whatever gets said, I don’t know. I think it’s in Tarky’s eyeline because if you see someone behind you, your decision is different, but that’s for the referees to explain... The refs have made their mind up but we think it’s offside. VAR is a different story, but it looked offside."

After facing the league's top team, Everton are in action against Arsenal this weekend, with Mikel Arteta's men on track to finish runners-up this season.