Andy Robertson is ‘lucky to be walking’, claims Clattenburg

'To hear that Robertson has to have his leg planted alarms me, because if he does that he's not walking this Christmas'

Former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg has claimed that Liverpool defender Andy Robertson is 'lucky to be walking', as he criticised the standard of officiating in Liverpool's draw at Tottenham Hotspur. Robertson was the subject of a late challenge from Harry Kane early in the first-half, with the England captain only cautioned with a yellow card despite many believing he should have been sent off. It was later revealed that the reason Kane wasn't shown a red was because Robertson's foot had been lifted off the ground during the tackle. Later in the game, the left-back himself was dismissed for his challenge on Emerson Royal following a review from VAR, but Clattenburg believes Kane should have been given his marching orders. "I think Kane's tackle's worse than Robertson's," he told BBC Radio Five Live. "To hear that Robertson has to have his leg planted alarms me, because if he does that he's not walking this Christmas.

"If you don't believe this is a clear and obvious error about Kane, you're not doing your job correctly."

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The 46-year-old added that he feels that while referees know the laws of the game, they may not have the understanding of the game itself.

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He said: "I think we, as referees, are sometimes guilty of knowing the laws of the game but we don't understand the game.

"VAR cannot get this wrong. Referees can, because they have a split second. VAR have all the angles, he's got all the slow-motion, he can see the point of contact.

"If they are saying that his leg has to be planted, which is a new one to me, if the leg was high, the studs were showing, it's reckless, he's lunged. For me, he's endangered the safety of the opponent.

"Robbo is lucky today [Sunday]  that he's still walking. We should understand footballers more because he's not going to leave his leg there, why should he? He's not going to want his leg broken and his career put in doubt."

Liverpool will be without Robertson for their Carabao Cup Quarter Final at home to Leicester City on Wednesday night through suspension. Related links: 

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• FA refuse to cover costs of Covid-19 tests for non-Premier League teams
• Premier League clubs reject the idea of cancelling a round of Christmas fixtures