Exclusive: Ex-FIFA ref reacts to Robertson incident in Liverpool loss to AC Milan
Andy Robertson was correctly not awarded a penalty during Liverpool’s 4-2 defeat to AC Milan, according to Keith Hackett.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that, having appeared to have been brought down in the box by Malick Thiaw, the Scotland international was looking for contact.
At the time of the incident, the two European giants were tied at 1-1, with Rafael Leao netting the opener in Hong Kong before Dominik Szoboszlai swept home the equaliser on 25 minutes.
Arne Slot’s ring of half-time changes completely changed the game, with Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Noah Okafor giving Milan a two-goal lead, a deficit which was halved by Cody Gakpo.
However, thanks to a mix-up between Kostas Tsimikas and Giorgi Mamardashvili, just one minute later, Okafor had the ball in the back of the net once again, scoring with the last touch of the game.
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Proceedings out in Hong Kong could have been completely different had the Reds been awarded a penalty at 1-1, but Hackett is adamant that the player simulated the contact on Saturday, 26 July.
Robertson, who has been strongly linked with a Liverpool exit, was furious with the decision not to award a spot-kick and will be fighting for his spot in the starting lineup ahead of next season.
Milos Kerkez arrived from Bournemouth earlier this summer, greeted with a lot of excitement from supporters, and the 31-year-old could be concerned about his playing time at Anfield.
Speaking to Liverpool News 247 (22 June), Ian Darke suggested that Tsimikas’ position at the club could also be at stake this summer.
While he showed plenty of aggression and energy in the opening half, based on Hackett’s opinion on the controversial incident, he may well have been lucky to escape without punishment for his dive.
Andy Robertson tries to buy penalty v AC Milan
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the referee said: “The referee made the correct call. The Liverpool player was looking for contact, rather than going for the ball.
“Robertson goes to ground too easily. It’s an act of simulation.”
The Reds will now jet out to Japan to face Yokahoma F.Marinos before facing Athletic Club, and finally coming home to face FA Cup winners Crystal Palace in the Community Shield next month.