Konate and Robertson red cards, Merino misfortune examined – Arsenal vs Liverpool referee review

While the season might have lost its spice for Arsenal and the 2-2 draw at Liverpool not necessarily hitting as an impressive result like it otherwise would, there were plenty of controversial instances in the game. It is never a quiet one between the pair as they share the record for the most goals scored between two sides in Premier League history.

It looked for some time like Arsenal might be on the end of a humbling defeat until a spirited second-half reply saw them score twice, the second through Mikel Merino. The Spaniard, however, was then sent off as Arsenal received yet another red card in the 2024/25 season.

With that in mind, football.london is back to take a look at the decisions from the match. Assessing them and giving our verdict on whether referee Anthony Taylor came to the right decision.

Andrew Robertson vs Bukayo Saka

During the first half, a rather innocuous challenge saw Andrew Robertson battling with Bukayo Saka over an incoming long ball. As the ball came in, Saka attempted to control it with his left leg, all the while the Scottish full-back appeared to have his right arm and hand around the neck of the player.

FL review: It is not just the action itself which raises eyebrows but the force and manner by which Robertson turns and throws Saka to the ground by his neck. It was not even given as a foul in-game despite the assistant referee being alongside the pair.

It was barely mentioned in much post-match commentary besides Sky Sports’ Ref Watch in which Dermot Gallagher just said: “Foul. Full Stop.” Well, not even that was given.

I don’t think it’s enough really for a red card, but it is certainly a yellow. I think the slow motion makes it look worse than it is and so while the referee got the decision wrong, it is not as severe as some think.

FL verdict: Incorrect decision. Foul, yellow card.

Mikel Merino red card

Defending the box with the scores level, another moment where David Raya passes the ball to a player under pressure. Mikel Merino takes a bad touch, although there is a push in the back evident from Diogo Jota seen in the below image which puts him off balance trying to win it from Darwin Nunez.

However, nothing is given, play goes on and Merino slides recklessly into Dominik Szoboszlai. On a yellow card already, he is given his marching orders.

FL review: Should Anthony Taylor give a foul initially? Probably but you see them given and others not. The reality for me here is knowing he has been booked, Merino is not very smart by making the challenge he does.

I think he believes there are less players defending the situation than there are and he gets desperate. Liverpool end up missing the chance and had he stayed on his feet and not lunged in, it would have probably ended the same way but with Arsenal with 11 men on the pitch.

FL verdict: Correct decision, second yellow card.

Ibrahima Konate on Myles Lewis-Skelly

It is rare that a player is ever punished harshly during an attacking opportunity for their own side. However, Arsenal will be thankful as Robertson could have won the game in the dying seconds.

Ibrahima Konate is spotted in the replays from the corner with his hands aggressively in the face of Myles Lewis-Skelly. In fact, he uses both arms to violently slam the 18-year-old to the ground – it is not pretty viewing at all.

FL review: There is a very good case here that the foul not only rules out the goal but that the Frenchman has committed a rather serious infraction, raising both arms to the face of a player. There is little doubt that excessive force is used even though the player is making a play for the ball.

FL verdict: Red card, violent conduct.