What referee did in Liverpool match was pathetic - Webb must sort it out

What referee did in Liverpool match was pathetic - Howard Webb must sort it out

The first part of John Aldridge's ECHO column assesses the fall out of Saturday's 2-2 draw with Fulham and looks at the Premier League title picture

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The first thing to point out from Saturday's 2-2 draw at Anfield is that Fulham are a good side with an excellent coach in Marco Silva. So when you combine that with their work rate and their team spirit then it was always going to be difficult. But the sending off of Andy Robertson made it obviously very tough for Liverpool and I thought the lads were brilliant throughout.

To a man, everyone contributed, including the substitutes, and they really made sure that numerical disadvantage didn't totally kill the game. Arne Slot said he couldn't have asked for more from his players and he was right, you couldn't knock their effort and the crowd were brilliant once more, I thought. It was a little bit subdued early on but when they were needed, they were there to support every step of the way. They reacted to what was happening on the pitch and it was a special atmosphere that helped save what could yet be a vital point.

Cards on the table, I can be biased at times as a Liverpool supporter, I do have put that in this column, but the challenge from Issa Diop on Robertson early on was a really dangerous one. It was a lunge, it was last-ditch and reckless; it was just a really bad one all things considered. The fact VAR didn't look at it as Cody Gakpo was offside is total nonsense.

What message does that send out as a rule? Can players go and stick one on someone else if the offside flag has already been raised? Does that mean that it is only ever a booking? Somehow Diop hasn't seen red, so Fulham have got lucky there. Robertson being who he is, he didn't want to make it known it has hurt him, he is a proud Scotman and he didn't want to show he had been injured, so he's tried to get through and that is where the mistakes maybe come from later in the half.

Look, the mistake can happen and we can't be too harsh on him but I wonder why the referee first played on before watching Raul Jimenez fluff the chance and then pulling it back to send Robbo off? I look at that tackle from Tosin Adaraiboyo on Diogo Jota when Liverpool beat Chelsea and I put it in that same category. The referee didn't give a red card on that occasion and this time out, Virgil van Dijk was back defending the chance for Jimenez, so for me it is bad refereeing all round.

The referee, Tony Harrington, was really poor on the day in general and he didn't even look at the rake on Ryan Gravenberch's Achilles by Andreas Pereira. I am not sure how many times Harrington has refereed a Premier League game at Anfield but I thought he struggled. It was a game that wasn't dirty but he's handed out eight yellows and a red card. That is pathetic and the worst tackle of the lot wasn't given the red card it deserved. Harrington looked out of his depth.

Head of referees Howard Webb has to sort out the general level of refereeing because since he has come into that role, they seem to be getting worse. If he can't oversee this level of officiating to improve it, then his position might become untenable. He has made the referees become something of a laughing stock.

Title race heating up

Looking at the Premier League table now, you have to say Chelsea are looking like the biggest challengers for Liverpool for the title, but with Arsenal also in there and Manchester City, who you can never totally discount, then it is very much like an old-school First Division chase, where a number of teams could win it.

Since Chelsea came to Anfield in October for the 2-1 win, I have said they are really dangerous and they have won five in a row now to go within two points of Arne Slot's side, who still have a game in hand to be played against Everton, at least.

The manager, Enzo Maresca, has done a great job and Slot aside he's been the best coach this season in the Premier League for my money. Maresca doesn't have to rest and rotate either because the European campaign they are in in the Conference League is such a poor standard that he can use all his squad players there and keep his big guns fresh for one game a week, which is a huge boost to them against teams who are competing in the Champions League.

One thing you would say is if maybe they could get an injury or two and if they lose Cole Palmer in particular then they might struggle but right now they look like the closest challengers.

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