Andy Robertson didn’t shy away from sharing his thoughts after a night dominated by VAR controversy as Liverpool secured an important win over Inter Milan.
Two major decisions shaped the game. Early on, Ibrahima Konaté thought he had opened the scoring, only for the goal to be ruled out following a lengthy VAR review. Officials judged that Hugo Ekitike had handled the ball during the build-up — a call that felt extremely harsh to many watching, especially given how long it took to reach a conclusion. Even neutral observers were left puzzled by the delay.
Late drama followed at the other end. Inter defender Alessandro Bastoni briefly pulled at Florian Wirtz’s shirt inside the area, prompting another VAR intervention. After reviewing the footage on the pitchside monitor, the referee reversed his original call and pointed to the spot, allowing Dominik Szoboszlai to convert from twelve yards.
Robertson reflects on VAR’s influence
Speaking after the match, Robertson questioned the logic behind the extended review that led to Konaté’s effort being disallowed, suggesting that decisions shouldn’t take that long to reach.
In contrast, the Scotland international admitted that Liverpool may have benefitted from a generous call when the penalty was awarded. While he felt the contact was minimal, he noted that similar incidents are often penalised elsewhere on the pitch — and this time, the decision worked in Liverpool’s favour.
A refreshingly honest assessment
Robertson’s comments struck a familiar tone: direct, balanced, and realistic.
VAR was introduced to correct obvious mistakes, yet prolonged reviews only add confusion and disrupt the flow of the game. If officials require several minutes to make up their minds, there’s a strong argument that the original decision should remain.
Although the ball did strike Ekitike’s arm, the proximity and lack of intent made the ruling feel particularly unforgiving for Konaté. On the penalty incident, Bastoni arguably gave the referee a reason to intervene, even if Wirtz’s reaction appeared exaggerated — a situation Liverpool supporters would have strongly contested had it gone the other way.
Still, after a turbulent period and ongoing scrutiny surrounding Mohamed Salah’s recent remarks, Liverpool welcomed a slice of fortune. On the overall balance of play, Arne Slot’s side did enough to earn the win — a result that strengthens their position in the Champions League and keeps qualification for the last 16 firmly within reach.
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