Image source, Getty Images

Explaining the decision, the Premier League Match Centre said on X: "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."

The key word here is "reckless", which according to the laws of the game merits a yellow card rather than a red.

However, Liverpool - and many onlookers - felt Tarkowski's challenge was not just reckless but also was made with excessive force.

According to law 12, as explained on the Football Association's website, "a tackle or challenge that endangers the safety of an opponent or uses excessive force or brutality must be sanctioned as serious foul play".

It continues: "Any player who lunges at an opponent in challenging for the ball from the front, from the side or from behind using one or both legs, with excessive force or endangers the safety of an opponent is guilty of serious foul play."

It is also worth noting that, within the wording of the laws, there is no reference to winning the ball in making a tackle. If a player uses excessive force, whether he takes the ball or not is irrelevant - it would still meet the threshold for a red card.

Despite the lopsided nature of today's poll results, Marcus is not alone in saying this.

So let's have a look at what the laws of the game say, shall we?

A reminder that we have a poll running at the top of this page on James Tarkowski's challenge and whether you believe he should have been sent off.

It's safe to say the results are currently looking rather lopsided...

However, if you have a strong view on the matter one way or the other and want to get it off of your chest, feel free to get in touch using the usual methods and we'll feature a broad cross-section on this page.

Everton

As mentioned, even Everton manager David Moyes acknowledged James Tarkowski was lucky to stay on the pitch.

Here he is speaking to Sky Sports about the challenge: "First thought, it was a brilliant tackle for a derby game. A tackle we would have seen a few years ago.

"I understand nowadays things are slightly different with follow-throughs. We might have got a bit lucky."

Like we mentioned earlier, Moyes was also keen to talk about Liverpool's goal and why it was not given offside: "Don't put that [Tarkowski's tackle] with the goal because the goal was a different incident that won Liverpool the game."

Liverpool

Liverpool boss Arne Slot speaking to beIN SPORTS about James Tarkowski's challenge: "So many people gave their opinion about it, even people that are not in Liverpool's favour and they are so clear in their comments that is not necessary for me to say anything else about it.

"I would prefer to talk about Diogo Jota's goal or Curtis Jones' performance or someone else. It was so clear that it is not necessary for me to comment."

Arne Slot begs to differ Paul...

It's a tackle that looks equally bad whichever angle you choose to view it...

Thankfully, Alexis Mac Allister must have very bendy legs and no lasting damage seems to have been done.

The pair made up and James Tarkowski was still apologising to him at the final whistle.

Image source, Getty Images

Shamoon Hafez
BBC Sport football news reporter at Anfield

It was a challenge that would not have looked out of place in a derby in years gone by - but even Everton manager David Moyes considered his captain James Tarkowski "lucky" to stay on the pitch.

In the 11th minute and with a loose ball to contest, Toffees centre-back Tarkowski lunged in to clear his lines but caught Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister just below the knee with his studs.

Referee Sam Barrott went immediately to his pocket and there could have been few complaints if he brandished a red card - but instead only a yellow was issued.

Within one TV replay it seemed clear the 32-year-old could yet find himself in trouble with the video assistant referee (VAR), but after a quick check - which lasted only 10 seconds according to the Premier League match centre - Paul Tierney decided no further action was necessary.

OK, it's not an easy thing to look at over breakfast, but here is that image Liz mentioned.

Watch Joe Hart and Micah Richards analyse the tackle on Match of the Day.

Hart said: "Tarky's my man, I love the way he defends, he will put his body on the line all night for his team, but I can't defend him here.

"I think this is a Merseyside derby tackle of old - but this is reckless."

The image you talk about Liz is coming up. Just to say, though, that it is impossible to say what James Tarkowski meant, only he knows that.

Image source, Getty Images

Before we delve back into Liverpool's win over Everton, a quick mention for this remarkable story.

We are sure to come back to this but it looks like Jose Mourinho has been doing Jose Mourinho things over in Turkey.

Galatasaray have accused the Fenerbahce boss of "physically attacking" their manager Okan Buruk after he appeared to grab his nose following a fiery derby in the Turkish Cup.

More on that later.

A bit of talk on the messages about why we are choosing to focus on James Tarkowski's tackle rather than the decision to disallow Everton's "goal" for offside and not chalk off Diogo Jota's winner.

David Moyes was certainly eager to talk about those points after the game.

All topics are on the table here, so be sure to get in touch with your views on those decisions too.

For those of you who have not seen them, we will have more details coming up soon.

Image source, Getty Images

Not exactly the most divisive of polls this morning.

It's currently 93% in favour of James Tarkowski being shown a red card.

It would be interesting to see if there is anyone out there who wants to message us defending his tackle on Alexis Mac Allister.

Please get in touch about that or any footballing topic - from the title race through to the Champions League battle or relegation.

Message us via:

• X using #bbcfootball
• WhatsApp on 03301231826
• Or text 81111 (UK only, standard rates apply)

Remember to include your name and we will publish a selection of your comments throughout the day.

Thanks.

Right, for anyone who did not see Wednesday night's game at Anfield, one of the biggest talking points was James Tarkowski's first-half tackle on Alexis Mac Allister.

The Everton defender won the ball cleanly enough, but caught Liverpool's Argentine midfielder with his follow-through - just below the knee.

Toffees boss David Moyes described it as a proper tackle, but potentially one that you see less often in the modern game.

Tarkowski escaped with a yellow card and seemed to spend the rest of the game apologising to Mac Allister, but should he have stayed on the pitch?

Have your say in today's poll at the top of this page.

Image source, Getty Images

Premier League

Before we dive into the stories surrounding Liverpool's win in the Merseyside derby - that means you James Tarkowski - here's a quick round-up of all Wednesday night's Premier League results:

• Bournemouth 1-2 Ipswich
• Brighton 0-3 Aston Villa
• Manchester City 2-0 Leicester City
• Newcastle 2-1 Brentford
• Southampton 1-1 Crystal Palace
• Liverpool 1-0 Everton