Robertson backtracks on expletive referee rant but slams VAR again

Andy Robertson, David Coote

Liverpool defender Andy Robertson has admitted that he should not have used expletive language against officials on Saturday.

BT Sport cameras caught Robertson swearing at referee David Coote after he – and VAR – denied the Reds a penalty.

Burnley’s Johann Berg Gudmundsson clashed with Robertson inside the area late on as the Clarets ended Liverpool’s recent run of wins at Anfield.

Robertson told Sky Sports News: “Obviously I’ve seen the video circulate since, and I shouldn’t have used the language that I did. But we were in a high-pressured game and emotions were on the line.

“I spoke to the referee and the officials in the tunnel after, and he explained what he thought he had seen – I respected that, not all referees do that – so fair play to him. But I still thought he was in the wrong and that it was a penalty.

“That’s what we believe VAR was brought in to do [to change the decision]. For me, how that’s not a penalty, I still scratch my head over it.”

The incident involving Robertson was not the only controversy to hit VAR in the past week.

Indeed, the Premier League admitted it got three decisions wrong in matches last week. Among them was Bruno Fernandes’ clash with Ezri Konza, which should have been a free-kick to Aston Villa.

Johan Berg Gudmundsson, Andy Robertson

“Over the last week, for me there has been four or five decisions that I think should have gone the other way, and I think many footballing people think they should have gone the other way too,” Robertson added.

“I believe that the referees are relying on VAR, but then VAR isn’t overturning any decisions, so we are stuck in limbo. I’d prefer not to have it and just let the referee call it. If the referee called it, you’d say ‘OK, he’s seen it differently’.

“I still believe the decision was wrong.”

 

KLOPP BACKS GOAL-SHY FIRMINO

Liverpool were sluggish throughout against Burnley, failing to net several opportunities in the first half.

Among them was Roberto Firmino’s chance, the Brazilian hitting the post.

Firmino has now failed to score for Liverpool at Anfield in the Premier League since last March, but manager Jurgen Klopp insists his teammates “don’t judge him”.

Read more here…