Ex-Premier League referee: ‘Out of control’ Robertson set for extended Liverpool ban as controversial footage emerges
Andy Robertson was “out of control” and deserved to be sent off for his challenge on Emerson Royal as Liverpool were held to a 2-2 draw with Tottenham yesterday (19 December).
That is the view of ex-Fifa and Premier League referee Keith Hackett, speaking exclusively to Football Insider after VAR intervened on the incident to send Paul Tierney to the pitchside monitor.
The referee had initially shown a yellow card when Robertson appeared to kick out at Emerson less than 10 minutes after scoring Liverpool’s second goal.
As shown on the BBC’s Match of the Day 2 programme, VAR operator Chris Kavanagh then told Tierney to review on the incident.
After a look at the pitchside monitor, Robertson was shown a straight red card and will now serve a three-game ban.
“This was straight-forward,” Hackett said after analysing the footage with Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.
“It’s a bit of frustration, a bit of enthusiasm and he’s out of control. He’s just had a bit of a frustrating moment and kicked out. It’s a red card.
“I look at it and think is he [the referee] too close to play? His proximity to play might impact, he could be looking at his upper body and miss what happens down below.
“In reality, this is a straight red. Eventually, they got it right. Chris Kavanagh came in and rightly so.”
Robertson will now be unavailable for Liverpool’s Carabao Cup quarter-final with Leicester City on Wednesday (22 December).
Jurgen Klopp will also be without the Scotland captain for his side’s Premier League games with Leeds United and Leicester.
In other news, the Liverpool squad will be fuming after ‘ridiculous’ £100m+ Mohamed Salah talks latest.