Official “explanations” for dangerous tackle against Andy Robertson and red card – Liverpool FC

Liverpool’s early stages against Fulham were filled with incident, with Andy Robertson involved in potential red card duels on both sides before his sending off.

Twenty minutes into Liverpool’s Premier League game against Fulham, Andy Robertson was sent off for bringing down Harry Wilson as the former Red player was wide of goal.

There was a lengthy VAR review to determine whether this was the right decision because if Wilson had been offside, Robertson would have remained on the pitch as he would no longer have denied a clear scoring opportunity.

The red card means Robertson will be suspended for one game in Wednesday’s League Cup quarter-final against Southampton.

However, that offside threat shouldn’t have made any difference when it came to Issa Diop’s earlier attack on Robertson.

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The referee gave Robertson a red card for a foul on Wilson that denied him a chance to score. The VAR reviewed the red card and confirmed that Wilson was in an offside position. pic.twitter.com/gfeZ7eT2DL

— Premier League Match Center (@PLMatchCentre) December 14, 2024

With less than two minutes left, Diop caught Robertson on the knee with his cleats open.

Then the offside flag was raised and the referee gave Diop a yellow card. However, given the reckless and dangerous nature of the tackling, this probably should have been a red card.

The Premier League Match Center attempted to explain the decision, saying: “The referee issued Diop a yellow card for a foul on Robertson.”

“The VAR checked for a possible red card and upheld the referee’s decision for reckless challenge and yellow card.”

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The referee showed Diop a yellow card for a foul on Robertson. The VAR checked whether there was a possible red card and confirmed the referee’s decision of a reckless challenge and a yellow card.

— Premier League Match Center (@PLMatchCentre) December 14, 2024

Given the nature of the tackle and the potential damage to Robertson, who managed to keep going after a few minutes on the ground, this wasn’t exactly a satisfactory explanation.