Liverpool players were left incensed at half-time of their match against Arsenal as tensions were running high with Andy Robertson accusing the linesman of “elbowing” him. Liverpool looked to be dead and buried inside the first half an hour with Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus giving Arsenal a two-goal lead.
QBut the game quickly livened up after a coming together between Trent Alexander-Arnold and Granit Xhaka with the hosts using the increased atmosphere to raise their levels. Mohamed Salah halved the deficit just before the break with tackles soon flying in from both sets of players.
The referee’s whistle then brought an end to the first half with both players clearly still riled up as they walked off the pitch. But there was confusion when Liverpool players soon surrounded linesman Constantine Hatzidakis with referee Paul Tierney brandishing a yellow card.
Liverpool players were furious with Jordan Henderson leading the protests and it wasn’t immediately clear what happened until Jamie Carragher mentioned on commentary that the linesman had elbowed Robertson.
It wasn’t until Sky Sports showed replays of the incident that confirmed what Carragher had said with Hatzidakis seen raising his arm to Robertson’s face. Sky Sports reporter Geoff Shreeves caught the aftermath of the incident down the tunnel.
The PGMOL have stated they are aware of the incident involving Constantine Hatzidakis and Andy Robertson and will review the matter once Liverpool’s clash with Arsenal has finished.
Referee chiefs issue statement after linesman ‘elbowed’ Andy Robertson during Liverpool vs Arsenal
A statement from the organisation read: “PGMOL is aware of an incident involving assistant referee Constantine Hatzidakis and Liverpool defender Andrew Robertson at half-time during the Liverpool v Arsenal fixture at Anfield. We will review the matter in full once the game has concluded.”
Linesman Hatzidakis was heading towards referee Paul Tierney just after he had blown the half-time whistle, carrying the ball with him. Reds star Robertson approached Hatzidakis and appeared to grab the official as he walked across the pitch.
Linesman Hatzidakis was heading towards referee Paul Tierney just after he had blown the half-time whistle, carrying the ball with him. Reds star Robertson approached Hatzidakis and appeared to grab the official as he walked across the pitch.
Hatzidakis reacted angrily to that though and moved his arm back in what appeared to an elbow towards Robertson’s face. The Scotland captain was left furious, with Liverpool players surrounding the trio of match officials as they attempted to leave the pitch.
Robertson, Diogo Jota and Reds skipper Jordan Henderson remonstrated with Hatzidakis and Tierney as they left the pitch. The Liverpool left-back was then booked by Tierney, to the anger of Curtis Jones, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Henderson and Jota.
Eventually, the four were led away by a member of Liverpool’s coaching staff. Liverpool legend and Sky co-commentator Jamie Carragher gave the first indication of what had happened, tweeting: “Linesman elbow on Robertson!”
According to Sky Sports reporter Geoff Shreeves, Robertson was furious as he headed down the tunnel. He claimed the Scot said: “he’s just elbowed me in the throat, the linesman has elbowed me in the throat.
While Robertson appeared to be the victim of the incident, Roy Keane blasted the Liverpool star at half-time. He accused the left-back of being a “big baby”.
“Do you know what? Does he grab the linesman first? I’m not sure, but Robertson is then complaining. He should be more worried about his defending. Do you know what he is, that Robertson?” Keane told Sky Sports.
Jurgen Klopp outlines Liverpool’s transfer strategy for this summer as ‘smart’ claim made
The Reds were criticised last summer for a lack of investment in key areas, having only signed one midfielder on a permanent basis since 2018.
They also failed to improve in defensive areas, although did bring in Darwin Nunez from Benfica for an initial fee of over £64 million.
In January, Cody Gakpo arrived from PSV, and both players have provided the Reds with pivotal moments in big games this season.
But the lack of a midfield arrival on a permanent deal has hindered Liverpool, with injury problems – including to loan signing Arthur Melo – affecting them throughout the season.
In fact, Liverpool have struggled to live up to the form of previous years both defensively and in midfield, whilst Tuesday’s 0-0 draw against Chelsea was evidence that they are not currently firing on all cylinders going forward either.
However, the 7-0 defeat of Manchester United last month shows that the quality in attacking positions is still very much present, with an emphasis on other areas likely to be the case in the summer.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has outlined what the club’s transfer strategy will look like this summer.
They also failed to improve in defensive areas, although did bring in Darwin Nunez from Benfica for an initial fee of over £64 million.
In January, Cody Gakpo arrived from PSV, and both players have provided the Reds with pivotal moments in big games this season.
But the lack of a midfield arrival on a permanent deal has hindered Liverpool, with injury problems – including to loan signing Arthur Melo – affecting them throughout the season.
In fact, Liverpool have struggled to live up to the form of previous years both defensively and in midfield, whilst Tuesday’s 0-0 draw against Chelsea was evidence that they are not currently firing on all cylinders going forward either.
However, the 7-0 defeat of Manchester United last month shows that the quality in attacking positions is still very much present, with an emphasis on other areas likely to be the case in the summer.
Klopp on Liverpool transfer strategy
Speaking in his pre-match press conference prior to the visit of Arsenal on Sunday, Klopp explained to reporters that the Reds will be ‘smart’ in the transfer window – although did state that the squad would still improve.
He said (quotes via Fabrizio Romano): “Whatever we do in the summer won’t be enough for some people. But with smart recruitment, we will improve, definitely.
“I am not a worse manager, the players are not worse. We just have to make smart changes next year.”
Liverpool have been heavily linked with a number of players ahead of the window, with a number of Reds seemingly likely to depart the club as well.
The midfield trio of Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and James Milner are all out of contract this summer, although Football Insider claim that Klopp is hopeful the latter of those names will stay.
If all three players do leave, however, Liverpool could need a significant revamp in midfield, with Football Insider also reporting that they are ‘working on’ a deal for Wolves midfielder Matheus Nunes.
They have also been linked with a move for Borussia Dortmund star Jude Bellingham and Celta Vigo’s Gabri Veiga, with the latter of those certainly a more cost-effective option. He has a release clause of €40 million.
A move for Veiga could fall within a ‘smart’ strategy for the Reds, who seemingly will look to be careful when it comes to bringing in new players this summer.