"He couldn't properly communicate" - Liverpool star Van Dijk makes 'nervous' referee claim after Andy Robertson receives red card in Fulham draw

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk claimed that the referee for their 2-2 draw against Fulham, Tony Harrington, was 'nervous' and 'couldn't properly communicate'. The Dutchman made the claim after the game, during which Scottish defender Andy Robertson was sent off.

The Reds drew 2-2 against the Cottagers at Anfield in the Premier League on Saturday, December 14. Robertson's recent performances have garnered criticism from fans and media alike due to their inconsistent nature. He has made just one assist in 20 appearances this season, a far cry from his attacking output in previous seasons.

In the 17th minute of the game against Fulham, Robertson made an error in controlling a long ball, allowing Harry Wilson to bear down on goal. Without any other option at his disposal, the 30-year-old slid in for a last-man challenge and was subsequently sent off for the offense.

After the full-time whistle, Van Dijk called out Harrington for his inability to communicate adequately enough with Robertson. He said (via SPORTBible h/t Daily Mail):

"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."

While he did lash out at the referee, Van Dijk did not blame him for the result and tried to look forward to the Reds' upcoming fixtures. He added:

"We can't put the blame on the referee. It shouldn't be a big thing because he isn't why we dropped points. It is what it is. We take the points, recover quickly and be ready for the game on Wednesday."

Up next, Liverpool will take on Southampton away in the quarter-final of the EFL Cup on Wednesday, December 18.

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"It was always going to be tough" - Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk makes claim after 2-2 draw with Fulham

After a 2-2 draw with Fulham, star Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk has claimed that he knew it was 'always going to be tough' against the Cottagers.

Before the game, Fulham had given the top EPL sides a run for their money this season. They lost narrowly (2-3) to Manchester City and managed to draw against Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur (1-1 each).

They continued their impressive streak in the game against a 10-man Liverpool, gaining another massive point from the Premier League juggernauts. A full-time, Van Dijk praised his side for their spirited comeback and acknowledged the challenge from the Cottagers.

He said (via SPORTBible):

"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. 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."

Despite dropping points, Liverpool remain atop the Premier League standings with 36 points after 15 games (11 wins, three draws, one loss).