Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk questioned referee Tony Harrington’s composure during the Premier League leaders’ 2-2 draw at home to Fulham, which included a straight red card for Reds defender Andy Robertson after 17 minutes.
Robertson’s brief stint included a suspension, treatment for an injury, being at fault for Andreas Pereira’s 11th-minute opener and being sent off for denying Harry Wilson a clear goal-scoring opportunity after the left-back mishandled the ball.
“We kept going, we kept trying” 💪
Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk comes from behind TWICE to equalize against Fulham 💭 pic.twitter.com/n1lL8MZltu
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 14, 2024
“I had discussions with the Fulham players and we felt the referee was nervous,” Van Dijk told Sky Sports. BBC Sport.
“He couldn’t communicate properly with Robertson, I felt. We all talk about protecting the referee, but I couldn’t talk to him.
“We cannot blame the referee. It shouldn’t be a big thing because that’s not why we lost points.”
“We ended up with a draw and I don’t think we can blame the referee for that” 💬
Arne Slot on the refereeing decisions in Liverpool’s 2-2 draw against Fulham 👇 pic.twitter.com/kCFHAEPwbX
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 14, 2024
Liverpool vs Fulham
Robertson’s red card appeared to be uncontroversial, with striker Wilson heading straight for goal behind the Liverpool defence.
The crowd booed during a lengthy review by the Assistant Referee to decide whether Wilson was offside before the penalty was upheld.
Cody Gakpo equalized with a header from Mohamed Salah’s cross two minutes after the break, but Rodrigo Muniz put the Cottagers back in front 14 minutes from time.
On his return from an 11-game injury absence, substitute Jota turned smartly and rolled in a calm finish four minutes into the game to move the leaders five points clear of second-placed Chelsea.
“If you’re asking me about 50/50 moments, we’ll be here all afternoon talking and not playing” 😲
Marco Silva was NOT happy when asked whether red cards should be given to Issa Diop or Andreas Pereira. pic.twitter.com/702KQNEcIb
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 14, 2024
Van Dijk: “Liverpool could have had more”
Van Dijk said it was “always going to be difficult” against opponents who took the lead after 86 minutes of their 4-3 defeat at Liverpool last season.
The Cottagers extended their unbeaten run to nine matches after being held to a 1-1 draw by third-placed Arsenal last Sunday.
“A big comeback is very positive,” Van Dijk added. “We showed fight and kept trying to create chances. It could have been more, but we get the point and move on.
“Keep calm – easier said than done. We saw (Fulham are tough) last year and last week against Arsenal. We had to turn it around and keep fighting.
“We tried. It is what it is. We’ll take the point, bounce back quickly and be ready for the (Carabao Cup quarter-final) game (at Southampton at 8pm GMT) on Wednesday.”
