Former referee Dermot Gallagher has discussed the possibility of Liverpool being reduced to ten men in their draw against Arsenal on Sunday afternoon.
Arsenal drew 2-2 with Liverpool at Anfield, with the Gunners coming back from two goals down to salvage a point on Merseyside.
Cody Gakpo’s header gave the Premier League Champions the lead before Luis Diaz doubled the home side’s advantage by tapping home from close range after a neat move involving Mohamed Salah and Dominik Szoboszlai.
Gabriel Martinelli reduced the deficit by nodding in Leandro Trossard’s cross, before Mikel Merino’s diving header rescued a draw for Mikel Arteta’s side.
The result leaves Arsenal needing two more points in their remaining two games to guarantee a top-five finish.
Dermot Gallagher provides Andy Robertson red card verdict in Liverpool v Arsenal
Former PGMOL Chief Keith Hackett felt Andy Robertson should’ve been sent off for Liverpool against Arsenal.
With the game at Anfield poised at 0-0 after 17 minutes, Bukayo Saka attempted to control a long ball and was hauled to the ground by Robertson.
The Scotsman appeared to grab Saka by the neck, and while Arsenal were awarded a free-kick, the Liverpool defender received no further punishment.
Asked about the incident on Sky Sports, former Premier League official Gallagher was staunch in his stance that it wasn’t a red card.
“Foul,” he said.
“Full stop. I just can’t see how that can possibly be a red card.”
Robertson was let off the hook, and three minutes later, Gakpo gave the Reds the lead.
Mikel Merino was then dismissed in the second half for two yellow card offences, and the Spaniard will subsequently miss Arsenal’s home game against Newcastle next weekend.
Andy Robertson should’ve seen red against Arsenal
Saka was in disbelief when there was no card against Robertson.
The Arsenal winger certainly had a point; the left-back grabbed him by the throat and pulled him towards the ground.
Any grip by the throat should be deemed violent conduct, as it quite evidently endangers an opponent.
While PGMOL chief Howard Webb’s initiative seems to be to ignore violent conduct this season, if he actually wants to fulfil the officials’ primary role of protecting the players on the pitch, then incidents like this have to be taken more seriously.
Robertson being dismissed would’ve changed the complexion of the encounter in the north-west, and would likely not have led to Arsenal falling two goals behind before the break.
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