Liverpool fans loved what Andy Robertson did to Lionel Messi in the first half of their 4-0 Champions League semi-final win over Barcelona.
There is no questioning Lionel Messi’s status as the most gifted footballer in existence but his stroppy attitude during Barcelona’s aggregate loss to the Reds in the Champions League has won him few favours with Liverpool fans.
When you are as good as the Argentinian it’s probably fair to expect a higher level of protection from officials and more respect from opposition players but Liverpool were having none of it.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Andy Robertson clashed with Messi in the first half and the moment which earned him a talking to from the referee was reacted to by Liverpool fans on Twitter.
The Scotsman ran past Messi, who was sitting on the pitch expecting a free kick and gave the forward a two-handed push on the back of the head for no apparent reason.
Fans on Twitter loved the moment and shared their thoughts.
Andy Robertson letting Lionel Messi know he's in for a game at Anfield 👀 pic.twitter.com/Anl4mkNh8e
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) May 7, 2019
Robertson pushed Messi’s head when we were 1-3 down still LOOOOL I love this madman
— Shaqiri & Jota Stan Account (@Taytaayxx) May 8, 2019
When Robertson shoved Messi’s head I knew the boys were serious
— sabah (@Sabah07) May 8, 2019
https://twitter.com/FutebolJay/status/1125918730293252096
https://twitter.com/CallumWright__/status/1125849689323130880
£8M Andy Robertson treating Messi like he’s nothing.
https://t.co/lo0PKSl1Ih— Azahari Sharif (@azaharisharif) May 8, 2019
In hindsight, Robertson is probably lucky to have escaped with little to no punishment from the referee and if his injury had been caused by anything other than a nasty moment from Luis Suarez it might have been karma that he was forced off the pitch.
Georginio Wijnaldum replaced the left back and subsequently scored two of the most important goals Anfield has ever seen hit the back of the net in a European tie.
Liverpool are into their second Champions League final in as many years and will be desperate to erase the heartbreak from last season’s defeat to Real Madrid in Kiev.