Evening Standard
·14 December 2024
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·14 December 2024
Reds twice come from behind to claim vital point against Fulham
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot insists he has no complaints about Andy Robertson’s red card against Fulham.
The Reds drew 2-2 with the Cottagers in an enthralling game at Anfield and still boast a five-point lead over Chelsea in the Premier League table.
Scotland international Robertson went down under the challenge of Issa Diop in the opening exchanges at Anfield before compounding a miserable afternoon with a straight red card.
The 30-year-old was sent off for a foul on Fulham winger Harry Wilson in the 17th minute and the decision was confirmed by VAR.
Andreas Pereira had given the Cottagers the lead before the ten-men League leaders struck back through Cody Gakpo just after half-time.
Rodrigo Muniz restored Fulham’s lead in the 76th minute with a fine improvised finish but the returning Diogo Jota would secure a point in the dying embers of the dramatic game.
Slot admits the decision to dismiss Robertson was correct but revealed the knock he took in the opening minutes may have played a part.
Andy Robertson was sent off for Liverpool against Fulham
Peter Byrne/PA Wire
“I think Robbo might have been a bit too injured to keep going because normally he's faster than that. It says a lot about his character that he wants to keep on going but it results in a red card,” Slot told Sky Sports.
“I think it's just whether it's offside. I was clear it wasn't going to be changed. It's maybe the only thing I didn't complain about today. It's an emotional game and we were a man down, it's frustrating. It's good to see our performance after so many setbacks.”
Former Premier League referee Mike Dean believes Fulham should have been reduced to ten men in the first-half too, telling Sky Sports goalscorer Pereira deserved a red card for a foul on Ryan Gravenberch for which he was only booked.
“Pereira caught Gravenberch on the top of his Achilles and scrapped down,” he said.
"He's nowhere near the ball. He knew what he was doing.
"It's 100 per cent a red card."
Robertson is suspended for Liverpool’s trip to Southampton in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals on Wednesday, while Slot will serve a touchline suspension following his third yellow card of the season.