The verdict on all three controversies in Liverpool’s draw with Fulham

There have been so few chinks in Liverpool’s armour since Arne Slot rocked up on Merseyside that each one feels seismic.

Slot’s side twice had to come from behind in a 2-2 draw with Fulham but Diogo Jota’s late equaliser help them avoid a second Premier League defeat of the season.

But Liverpool had an uphill struggle after Andy Robertson’s was sent off after 17 minutes – and a lengthy VAR check, shortly after Andreas Pereira had put the visitors in front.

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Cody Gakpo’s header cancelled that out before Rodrigo Muniz looked to have won it for Fulham with a clever flick, knocking Alisson’s head with his knee as it went in.

It fell to Jota to spare Liverpool’s blushes, but this was two points dropped when Slot’s side had already lost an opportunity to stretch their lead in the title race last weekend after the Merseyside derby at Goodison Park was called off.

Robertson’s red card

Harry Wilson was only narrowly onside when Robertson collided with him as he attempted to make up for a poor touch in his half.

Fulham were no happier as referee Tony Harrington had failed to play advantage with Raul Jimenez preparing to take his shot.

It nonetheless left Robertson with a unique unwanted record – he is the first man in the Premier League era to be sent off twice for Liverpool.

Wilson was onside for Robertson’s sending off (Photo: Premier League)

Verdict: Correct

Pereira’s red card (that wasn’t)

Robertson’s red was a particularly bitter pill to swallow because Pereira had opened the scoring six minutes earlier, still on the pitch despite catching Ryan Gravenberch’s heel with his studs.

Pereira’s tackle on Gravenberch (Photo: X)

Verdict: Wrong

Diop foul

That was not even the first contentious challenge of the afternoon. In the very first minute Issa Diop left his boot high on Robertson’s knee but only earned a yellow – even after the tackle was reviewed.

“The referee issued a yellow card to Diop for a challenge on Robertson,” the Premier League said in a statement.

“VAR checked for a potential red card and confirmed the referee’s call of reckless challenge and yellow card.”

Diop’s foul on Robertson (Photo: X)

Verdict: Wrong

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