Liverpool's Dutch defender #04 Virgil van Dijk (C) and teammates quiz the referee on a decision during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Fulham at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on December 14, 2024. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images)
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has claimed that referee Tony Harrington was 'nervous' during the Reds' shock 2-2 draw at home to Fulham.
Andy Robertson was sent off in the 17th minute for a foul on Harry Wilson, with Liverpool already 1-0 down. The decision was controversial after Andreas Pereira, who scored the opening goal, avoided a red card early on.
The Reds firstly equalised through Cody Gakpo before Rodrigo Muniz restored Fulham's lead late on. Super-sub Diogo Jota came to the rescue in the 86th minute, maintaining their five-point lead at the top of the Premier League table, but Liverpool were still left with a sickly feeling after the full-time whistle.
"A great comeback is very positive. It's disappointing having 10 men but we showed fight, kept trying to create chances. Could have been more but we take the point and move on," Van Dijk told Sky Sports post-match.
"Staying calm, it's easier to say than do it. It was always going to be tough against them. We saw it last year and last week against Arsenal. We had to turn it around and keep fighting. We tried."
The Dutch centre-back then focussed on referee Harrington, who showed Liverpool manager Arne Slot a yellow card in the second half, his third booking the season which will result in a one-game touchline man. "I had conversations with the players of Fulham and we felt like the referee was nervous," Van Dijk added.
"He couldn't properly communicate with Robertson I felt. We can't put the blame on the referee. We all speak about protecting the referee but I couldn't speak to him. It shouldn't be a big thing because he isn't why we dropped points. It is what it is. We take the points, recover quickly and be ready for the game on Wednesday."
Should Andy Robertson have been sent off? Have your say in the comments section.
Tony Harrington was in charge at Anfield (
Image:
Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
Slot said of Roberton's sending off: "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.
"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.
"It's difficult to judge for me because I only see it in real-time like the referee. We have to accept what VAR sees. You know how important these decisions can be. We ended up with a draw and I don't think we can blame the referee for that.
"There were a few moments when I could have been given a yellow card. It's marginal moments and when some go against you, you think some will go for you but I haven't felt that here. There was a moment when one of their players already on a yellow could have been given another."
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