Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk described Tony Harrington as ‘nervous’ but insisted the referee could not be blamed for the Reds dropping points against Fulham. Arne Slot’s side salvaged a 2-2 draw after having Andy Robertson sent off in the 17th minute.
Robertson was dismissed after Liverpool felt Issa Diop should have seen red for a challenge on the left-back. The Fulham defender caught Robertson high on his right knee but received only a yellow card, a decision confirmed by VAR. Liverpool were incensed by a further rash tackle by Andreas Pereira.
Van Dijk divulged that he shared conversations with Fulham's players, who agreed that Harrington had seemed 'nervous'. The Dutchman claims that the official struggled to communicate with Robertson while sending him off.
Van Dijk told Premier League Productions: "I had conversations with the players of Fulham and we felt like the referee was nervous. He couldn't properly communicate with Robertson I felt. We can't put the blame on the referee.
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“We all speak about protecting the referee but I couldn't speak to him. It shouldn't be a big thing because he isn't why we dropped points.”
Harrington has strong experience in the Premier League. He was promoted to the select group of PGMOL officials in 2021 and took charge of his first top-flight fixture in December of that year.
Diogo Jota scored an 86th-minute equaliser to extend Liverpool’s unbeaten run to 19 matches in all competitions. They seemed headed for a shock defeat against the west Londoners when Rodrigo Muniz put the visitors ahead in the 76th minute.
It came after Cody Gakpo cancelled out Andreas Pereira’s opening goal.
"A great comeback is very positive. It's disappointing having 10 men but we showed fight, kept trying to create chances. Could have been more but we take the point and move on,” Van Dijk added.
"Stay calm. It's easier to say than do it. It was always going to be tough against them. We saw it last year and last week against Arsenal. We had to turn it around and keep fighting. We tried.
"It is what it is. We take the points, recover quickly and be ready for the game on Wednesday."
Liverpool will breathe a sigh of relief that Arsenal failed to capitalise on their dropped points. The Gunners were held to a goalless draw by Everton at the Emirates Stadium. Chelsea, who are five points below Liverpool in the Premier League table, face Brentford tomorrow (Sunday) evening.
