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Liverpool controversy as ex-Premier League referee calls out one star after Barcelona win
LIVERPOOL star Andy Robertson should have been dismissed for shoving Barcelona’s Lionel Messi on Tuesday night, according to former Premier League referee Mark Halsey.
Liverpool vs Barcelona: John Barnes celebrates Reds win
Liverpool star Robertson shoved Messi in the head as the Reds pulled off a stunning Champions League comeback against Barcelona.
It was a magical night for the Merseyside giants, who went into the showdown at Anfield 3-0 down from the first leg.
Liverpool had played well at the Nou Camp but ultimately came undone, with a Luis Suarez strike and Messi double giving the Catalan giants a first leg lead.
Jurgen Klopp’s side, however, refused to bow down.
Braces from Divock Origi and Gini Wijnaldum made it a breathtaking night for Liverpool and their fans, with the 4-0 victory seeing them through to a second consecutive Champions League final.
Halsey, however, believes Robertson should have seen red following a clash with Messi.
“Liverpool produced arguably the greatest comeback in their history against Barcelona – but they should have had to do it with TEN MEN,” Halsey told The Sun.
“Trailing 3-0 from the first leg last week, it looked like mission impossible for Jurgen Klopp’s side ahead of the clash at Anfield.
“You could argue Andy Robertson should have been sent off for pushing Lionel Messi in the head.
“The rule of thumb for a referee is if you strike an opponent above the neck then it is a red card offence.
“Referee Cuneyt Cakir did not see the incident early in the game at Anfield.
“But Robertson is a very lucky boy that the video assistant referee Felix Zwayer did not see it as violent conduct.
“What on earth was he doing?
“I’m very surprised VAR official Zwayer did not recommend Cakir to review the incident.”
Liverpool will now face either Ajax or Tottenham in the final.
The two teams do battle in Amsterdam tonight with the Dutch side 1-0 up from the first leg.
But Tottenham will be hellbent on making the final an all-English affair, 11 years on from the last one.