Alexis Mac Allister Breaks Silence on James Tarkowski Tackle That Left Him Shaken

Alexis Mac Allister Breaks Silence on James Tarkowski Tackle That Left Him Shaken

Abigael Wafula 22:00 - 08.06.2025

Mac Allister has made his feelings known about James Tarkowski's tackle that left him traumatised.

Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister has spoken candidly about the challenge from Everton's James Tarkowski during the April Merseyside derby, claiming it could have caused a serious leg break.

Tarkowski received a yellow card for the first-half tackle on Mac Allister, a decision upheld by VAR despite later acknowledgment from the PGMOL (Professional Game Match Officials Limited) that a red card should have been issued.

The Everton captain on the night, Tarkowski, later claimed that he apologised to Mac Allister, admitting it was 'not a great tackle.'

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"I spoke to him (Mac Allister) and I apologised because it's not a great tackle. When the ball fell between us, I thought he was just going to come and I was expecting a big, old-school 50-50 tackle but he just pulled out the tackle and as I lunged in, I followed through and caught him pretty high so I've apologised to him and he's accepted it. Yeah, not a great one from me," he admitted at the time.

Alexis Mac Allister: It Could Have Broken my Leg Twice

Alexis Mac Allister
Alexis Mac Allister | IMAGO

While Liverpool's Mac Allister appeared to accept the apology at the time, he has since revealed the extent of his concern in an interview in Argentina.

Mac Allister went on to describe the force of the challenge and his surprise at Tarkowski's demeanour. He added that the official's decision to give James Tarkowski a yellow card also puzzled him.

"It could have broken my leg twice! That they didn't send him (Tarkowski) off was incredible. If I'd had my foot planted on the ground, it would have broken my leg completely," he said as per Echo.

"At the time, I realised it was too strong. But what shocked me most was his face when he went for the tackle. I wouldn't say he was going to try to break me, but I feel I was lucky given the way he went in."

Mac Allister is currently sidelined through injury and is unavailable for Argentina's end-of-season fixtures.

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