Duncan Ferguson gives honest Liverpool vs Everton James Tarkowski red card verdict - 'we noticed'

James Tarkowski was booked for a tackle on Alexis Mac Allister during the Merseyside derby between Liverpool and Everton

Duncan Ferguson is in agreement with Jamie Carragher in believing James Tarkowski should have been sent off in the Merseyside derby. The Everton defender was booked for a tackle on Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister in Wednesday night's Premier League clash.

Referee Sam Barrott issued a yellow card to Tarkowski for the challenge on Mac Allister before it was checked by Paul Tierney on VAR. It was eventually decided that the onfield call of a booking would stand, while the Liverpool midfielder needed treatment from the medical staff before being able to continue.

Ferguson was on punditry duty for Sky Sports and was asked about the tackle from Tarkowski. The former Everton caretaker boss believes the Blues defender should have been sent off for the challenge.

"There is no argument. It's a straight red, we noticed it right away," said Ferguson at half-time during Sky Sports' coverage.

"How they've not given the decision. It's a straight red, he [Tarkowski] knows what he's doing.

"Back in our day, you may have got away with it, cause you've got the ball. But he knows what he's doing, he's gone right through him [Mac Allister] and that could have been a leg-breaker. That's a straight red all day long."

Carragher was also critical of the decision not to give Tarkowski a red card for the tackle on Mac Allister.

"We’ll talk about VAR but in terms of the referee, Sam Barrott, he’s in a brilliant position – he should give that on the pitch," said Carragher on Sky Sports.

"He has to see that – has to! It’s a shocking tackle, we know it should be a red card, it’s not even up for debate."

Carragher was then asked if it was a natural follow-through by Tarkowski. "No. It’s an awful tackle and we know Tarkowski knows what he’s doing there," said Carragher.

"The referee should give it on the pitch. For Paul Tierney not to give it on VAR is shocking."