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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Dan Marsh

Roy Keane slams "big baby" Andy Robertson after extraordinary incident with assistant ref

Roy Keane slammed Andy Robertson and branded the Liverpool left-back "a big baby" after he claimed that he had been elbowed in the throat by linesman Constantine Hatzidakis during Sunday's feisty clash against Arsenal.

The huge game burst into life in the closing stages of the first-half when Granit Xhaka became embroiled in a clash with Trent Alexander-Arnold with the Gunners' 2-0 up. Both players were booked for squaring up and Mohamed Salah scored to halve the deficit just moments later to lift the Anfield crowd.

Emotions were still running high when referee Paul Tierney blew the half-time whistle - and Robertson was left incensed after Hatzidakis appeared to swing out at him.

But Keane had little sympathy for Robertson and insisted that the Liverpool man should focus on his defending after he was caught out for Arsenal's opening goal, which was scored by Gabriel Martinelli.

Speaking ahead of the second-half on Sky, presenter David Jones said: "At half-time, this is what we saw. official Constantine Hatzidakis clashing here with Andy Robertson, who is claiming he's been elbowed in the throat. Have you ever seen anything like it Roy?"

The Irishman replied: "No, not really. But Robertson, do you know what, does he grab the linesman first? I'm not sure, but he's complaining. He should be more worried about his defending.

Join the debate! What did you make of Sunday's match between Liverpool and Arsenal? Let us know here.

Robertson was incensed following the incident with linesman Constantine Hatzidakis (Sky Sports)

"Do you know what it is, that Robertson? I've watched him a number of times. He's a big baby. That's what he is. Just get on with the game and concentrate on your defending. He does grab the linesman first."

Robertson and a host of other Liverpool players surrounded the officials following the incident, with Sky Sports reporter Geoff Shreeves claiming that the Scotland international said: "He’s just elbowed me in the throat, the linesman has elbowed me in the throat."

The flash point at the interval set the tone for a frenetic second-half as Arsenal desperately fought to keep their slender advantage intact in order to keep Manchester City at bay in the Premier League standings.

Incensed Liverpool players surrounded Paul Tierney and the match officials at the break (Sky Sports)

The Gunners - who hadn't won at Anfield since 2012 - survived a major scare when Mohamed Salah rolled a second-half penalty wide of Aaron Ramsdale's post in the 54th minute.

But Liverpool kept knocking on the door and eventually restored parity in the 87th minute through substitute Roberto Firmino, who rose unchallenged to nod home Trent Alexander-Arnold's pinpoint cross at the far post.

Despite dropping points, Arsenal extended their lead over Pep Guardiola's side in the title race to six points. But Manchester City have a game in hand on the Londoners, who still have to travel to the Etihad Stadium later this month.

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