Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has questioned referee Tony Harrington’s composure in the course of the Premier League leaders’ 2-2 draw at residence to Fulham, which included a straight purple card for Reds defender Andy Robertson after 17 minutes.
Robertson’s transient involvement included a reserving, remedy on an damage, culpability for Andreas Pereira’s Eleventh-minute opener and his dismissal for denying Harry Wilson a transparent scoring likelihood after the left-back had miscontrolled the ball.
“We stored going, we stored attempting” 💪
Virgil van Dijk on Liverpool coming from behind TWICE to attract towards Fulham 💭 pic.twitter.com/n1lL8MZltu
— Sky Sports activities Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 14, 2024
“I had conversations with the gamers of Fulham and we felt just like the referee was nervous,” Van Dijk instructed Sky Sports activities, through BBC Sport.
“He couldn’t correctly talk with Robertson, I felt. All of us discuss defending the referee, however I couldn’t communicate to him.
“We are able to’t put the blame on the referee. It shouldn’t be an enormous factor as a result of he isn’t why we dropped factors.”
“We ended up with a draw and I don’t assume we will blame the referee for that” 💬
Arne Slot on the refereeing choices in Liverpool’s 2-2 draw towards Fulham 👇 pic.twitter.com/kCFHAEPwbX
— Sky Sports activities Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 14, 2024
Liverpool vs Fulham
Robertson’s purple card didn’t look like contentious, with attacker Wilson setting off on a direct path in the direction of aim behind Liverpool’s defence.
The gang booed throughout a prolonged Video Assistant Referee test to resolve whether or not Wilson had been offside earlier than the punishment was confirmed.
Cody Gakpo equalised by heading in Mohamed Salah’s cross two minutes after the break, however Rodrigo Muniz flicked the Cottagers again in entrance 14 minutes from time.
On his return from an 11-game damage absence, substitute Jota then turned well and rolled in a composed end 4 minutes from time to maneuver the leaders 5 factors away from second-placed Chelsea.
“For those who’re asking me about 50/50 moments we’re going to be right here all afternoon speaking, and never in regards to the sport” 😲
Marco Silva was NOT comfortable when requested if Issa Diop or Andreas Pereira ought to have been given purple playing cards 🟥 pic.twitter.com/702KQNEcIb
— Sky Sports activities Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 14, 2024
Van Dijk: Liverpool ‘might have had extra’
Van Dijk mentioned it was “at all times going to be powerful” towards opponents who led after 86 minutes of their 4-3 defeat at Liverpool final season.
The Cottagers prolonged their unbeaten run to 9 matches, having led in a 1-1 draw at third-placed Arsenal final Sunday.
“An incredible comeback may be very constructive,” added Van Dijk. “We confirmed battle and stored attempting to create probabilities. It might have been extra however we take the purpose and transfer on.
“Keep calm – it’s simpler to say than do it. We noticed [Fulham are tough] final yr, and final week towards Arsenal. We needed to flip it round and hold combating.
“We tried. It’s what it’s. We’ll take the purpose, recuperate shortly and be prepared for the [Carabao Cup quarter-final] sport [at Southampton at 8pm GMT] on Wednesday.”