Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has expectation after Andy Robertson was ‘elbowed by linesman’ | Football | Sport
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp expects the “pictures to speak for themselves” over the controversial incident where Andy Robertson appeared to be elbowed in the face by linesman Constantine Hatzidakis at half-time. The match between Liverpool and Arsenal sparked into life after the visitors went 2-0 up with tackles soon flying in from both teams.
Referee Paul Tierney had a tough task on his hand in the closing stages of the first half to calm both sets of players down. But tensions were still running high at the end of the first 45 minutes as the players began walking off the pitch.
There was then some confusion when Tierney pulled out a yellow card in the direction of a Liverpool player, sparking wild protests from Jordan Henderson and others. Replays soon showed what had happened with Robertson seen going up to Hatzidakis with the full-back appearing to touch the referee assistant on the arm, who then lifted his elbow up to the Liverpool star’s face.
Robertson was incensed after the incident and had to be held back by both Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo with protests continuing down the tunnel. Klopp refused to give a full answer on what happened with Robertson and the linesman, although he does expect something to come out of it.
“Nothing. I know it happened but I didn’t watch it,” Klopp said. “If it happened the pictures will speak for themselves.”
“Nothing. I know it happened but I didn’t watch it,” Klopp said. “If it happened the pictures will speak for themselves.”
It proved to be a chaotic match at the restart as well with Liverpool pushing for an equaliser and Arsenal trying to hold on. Salah missed a chance from the spot to bring Liverpool level after halving the deficit before the break.
But Roberto Firmino managed to pop up with a brilliant header at the back post to earn the Reds a point and Klopp’s side could have won it in the dying seconds only for Aaron Ramsdale to pull off two incredible saves. Klopp admitted that he didn’t know how to feel about the draw with Arsenal and he couldn’t understand how Ibrahima Konate missed their last chance of the match.
“A bit typical for us this season. An open game, completely open, they score with the first situation and the second one,” he added. “Our reaction was good. It was a spectacular game in the end. How we didn’t win it with those late chances I don’t know.
“I’m caught in between [being happy and not]. I have no problems with drawing. Arsenal were good but they could and should have lost this game. The point for them is better. We had moments and chances where we didn’t finish the situations off. Slightly typical. They’re flying so they score with their first chance.
“The goal we scored helped massively. At half-time it wasn’t over. It was a sensational atmosphere. Good moment to get the equaliser. All of a sudden we were in charge of a wild game. We deserved at least a point. If Ibou [Konate] uses his head [for a late chance] it’s a goal. Maybe he slipped. He had a chance, it was just there.”
