Liverpool defender Andy Robertson was sent off for a last-man foul on Fulham’s Harry Wilson just 15 minutes into Saturday’s Premier League clash at Anfield. Already trailing 1-0 after Andreas Pereira’s early opener, things got even worse shortly after for Arne Slot’s side.
Racing to catch up with Wilson following his poor touch, Robertson brought down the attacker and was sent off with a straight red card by referee Tony Harrington. The official had already made an enemy of the crowd after choosing not to dismiss Fulham’s Issa Diop for a challenge on Robertson himself.
Harrington had no choice but to send Robertson for an early bath, though, after the Liverpool ace was caught as the last man and for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity without making a serious attempt to play the ball. The Premier League’s Match Centre for official VAR decisions explained the call.
“The referee issued a red card to Robertson for a foul on Wilson which denied a goal scoring opportunity,” it wrote. “VAR checked to confirm the red card and that Wilson was in an onside position.”
Roberton had been left on the floor in the first minute after Diop’s high tackle caught his right thigh. Harrington issued a yellow card and was not advised by VAR to make the punishment anymore severe.
That was also explained online: “The referee issued a yellow card to Diop for a challenge on Robertson,” Match Centre stated. £VAR checked for a potential red card and confirmed the referee’s call of reckless challenge and yellow card.”
A late attempt to win the ball by Pereira on Gravenberch went unpunished before he went on to score in front of the Kop, too. “In my opinion, he’s nowhere near the ball and knew what he was doing, for me it should have 100% been a red card,” said ex-Premier League referee Mike Dean on Sky Sports’ Soccer Saturday.
Fulham’s 11th-minute counter saw the former Manchester United attacker sweep home at the end of a slick move to rub extra salt in the wounds for Liverpool.
