Virgil van Dijk has criticized referee Tony Harrington, suggesting that he seemed too “nervous” to manage Liverpool’s dramatic 2-2 draw with Fulham at Anfield effectively.
The Reds, playing with 10 men after Andy Robertson’s red card in the 17th minute, fought back twice in a match marked by controversial decisions. Fulham initially took the lead through Andreas Pereira, but Liverpool, with 16 shots and an expected goals (xG) of 2.26, could have secured a win under different circumstances.
Robertson’s red card for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity appeared to be a clear call. However, frustration stemmed from earlier events, such as Issa Diop’s harsh tackle on Robertson in the second minute, which only earned him a yellow card, and Pereira’s reckless challenge on Ryan Gravenberch, which also resulted in just a yellow.
Former referee Mike Dean commented, stating Pereira should have been sent off, calling it a “100% red card.”
After the game, Van Dijk expressed his disappointment with the officiating. “We fought hard with 10 men and created many chances, but it feels like it could have been more,” he said.
“I thought the referee was nervous. He struggled to communicate well with Robertson. While we can’t blame him entirely, it’s still frustrating.”
Despite his frustration, Van Dijk encouraged the team to move forward, adding, “We’ll take the point, recover, and focus on Wednesday’s match.”
While the draw was a missed opportunity, the match highlighted Liverpool’s resilience and adaptability under challenging circumstances.
