Although Liverpool have already clinched the Premier League title, their recent 2-2 draw with Arsenal was still full of intense moments. Among them, one red card went to Mikel Merino, but ex-Premier League referee Keith Hackett believes Andy Robertson also should’ve seen red.
Liverpool stormed into halftime with a 2-0 lead, thanks to quick goals from Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz. Arsenal responded in the second half, equalizing through Gabriel Martinelli and Merino.
While the match ended in a draw, the final moments were anything but dull. Merino was dismissed after receiving a second yellow, and Trent Alexander-Arnold was booed by fans after news of his summer move to Real Madrid broke. However, Hackett pointed out that even more drama was overlooked.
According to Hackett, Robertson should have been dismissed in the first half for grabbing Bukayo Saka around the neck during a challenge for a long ball. Referee Anthony Taylor didn’t call a foul, and VAR also opted not to intervene, leaving Robertson unpunished.
In response to a fan’s social media question about the incident, Hackett said: “I wrote about it immediately. This was a red card offence.” He also commented on the inconsistency in penalizing holding fouls, saying it affects player creativity.
Despite Hackett’s firm stance, the incident hasn’t gained much traction in the media, suggesting the situation might not be as straightforward as he claims. Another former referee, Dermot Gallagher, disagreed with Hackett’s assessment, stating on Sky Sports: “I just can’t see how that can possibly be a red card
