Scotland captain Andy Robertson has found himself in the thick of a VAR controversy on Liverpool duty.
The Reds drew 1-1 with Brighton on Saturday, Liverpool conceding in stoppage time through a Pascal Gross penalty after Diogo Jota had put them ahead.
VAR made a big call. (Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Robertson was fuming at full-time, as it was he who had given away the spot-kick. The Scotland captain was deemed to have clipped Danny Welbeck in the box, the referee pointing to the spot after a VAR check.
It’s brought about the debate on how much good the video assistance actually brings to the game. While the letter of the law states it was a penalty, it was still very soft.
Scotland’s captain took to Twitter, saying: “Wonder when the people playing the game will have a say! Very frustrating day but credit to Brighton, really tough opponent!”
A foul was given. (Photo by John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
This game also had headlines made of it by Jurgen Klopp’s post-match interview, in which he took aim at broadcasters for their scheduling regime that is meaning clubs are playing every few days at obscure times.
Liverpool’s boss had to play Robertson for 90 minutes again, unable to substitute him as the five-sub rule has been taken away. Klopp wishes he’d have been able to sub the Scots captain, who has recently overcome a hamstring niggle.
“It’s really dangerous for players,” he said post-match. “Since then (a vote on a return to five subs), nothing has happened. If you can’t do five subs… it’s not for tactical reasons. If we had five subs I take off Robbo, 100%. It’s to save him, not to make our game better. That’s the situation.”
A fascinating interview between Jurgen Klopp and @TheDesKelly discussing Liverpool's draw with Brighton, the Reds' injuries and fixture schedule. pic.twitter.com/s0BhahlUsP
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) November 28, 2020
Fans have given their take on Robertson’s penalty incident after a fiery Amex encounter.
Am I the only one who thinks it was a penalty.
Robertson kicked Wellbecks foot.
It's a foul.
No argument from me.— Kev Hinch (@gumpy77) November 28, 2020
Seen a lot of debate on the Brighton penalty yesterday.
My take as a complete neutral: Robertson has kicked a player in the penalty area with some considerable force. How is that possibly not a foul?
I’ve seen people absolutely convinced it wasn’t. I find that incredible.
— Allen Cooper (@FootieIndexAl) November 29, 2020
Just seen the welbeck/robertson penalty decision on MOTD its 100% a penalty. It may have killed the enjoyment of the game but the idea of VAR is to get the decisions correct which in yesterday's games they were…
— 𝙆𝙪𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙨 (@KurtBev97) November 29, 2020
Just seen the Brighton penalty incident, what’s the fuss about…most blatant penalty you could wish to see, Robertson booted him 🤣🤣
— Anthony Froom (@AnthonyFroom) November 29, 2020
on the Robertson penalty VAR need to make up their mind. They ignore most decisions using the reasoning ‘clear and obvious’. Yet here they have refereed the game and given a penalty that the ref original said wasn’t. So we go back to the one vs Villa, how come that wasn’t given!
— Mark (@Batchowski6X) November 29, 2020
Cannot believe the fuss over the Brighton penalty. As VAR clearly showed, Welbeck got to the ball before Robertson. Robertson kicked Welbeck. These facts are not disputed. So, in what/whose rulebook does that NOT constitute a penalty? #BHALIV #MOTD
— Mark James (@Super_Barnet) November 29, 2020
Andy Robertson against Danny Welbeck, to me if that's a penalty well shut the game down. Nuisance.
— Michael Higgins (@DundeeQP1867) November 28, 2020
Robertson had every right to go for that ball. The fact their toes clipped each other is not a penalty. Not all contact is a foul. https://t.co/PcF4hiiIvU
— Melissa Bolger (@MelissaBolger) November 28, 2020