Andy Robertson sent off with straight red card for swiping out former Liverpool teammate

Liverpool's nightmare start against Fulham on Saturday went from bad to worse after Andy Robertson was sent off at Anfield.

The Reds fell 1-0 behind after a smart finish from Andreas Pereira on 11 minutes, and matters worsened for Arne Slot's team six minutes later when Robertson was shown a straight red card after felling former Liverpool prospect Harry Wilson.

The decision was confirmed after a lengthy VAR check. Robertson and his teammates protested vehemently, with Virgil van Dijk racing back into position in an attempt to provide cover, but referee Tony Harrington's decision to brandish a straight red card was upheld.

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Robertson found himself left one-on-one with Wilson in the early exchanges, and the left-back was made to pay for a sloppy touch as the Welshman stole in.

Wilson was taken out by Robertson's wild challenge, with the ball breaking to an unmarked Raul Jimenez in the center, but Harrington halted play and pulled the red card from his pocket after determining the Scotsman had denied a clear goalscoring opportunity.

The Premier League issued a statement shortly after the VAR review concluded. It read: "The referee issued a red card to Robertson for a foul on Wilson which denied a goal scoring opportunity. VAR checked to confirm the red card and that Wilson was in an onside position."

Trailing 1-0 and being reduced to 10 men so early in the game, Arne Slot's team has been left with a mountain to climb to rescue a result.

The Cottagers started brightly and hit the front thanks to a brilliant finish from former Manchester United playmaker Pereira, who volleyed Antonee Robinson's accurate cross beyond Alisson Becker and into the roof of the net.

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Harrington was at the heart of the action from the opening minute of the game when Fulham center-back Issa Diop was shown a yellow card for a late challenge on Robertson. VAR brought a pause to the game to review the decision, but the referee's call was upheld.

"The referee issued a yellow card to Diop for a challenge on Robertson. VAR checked for a potential red card and confirmed the referee’s call of reckless challenge and yellow card," the Premier League said in a statement.

Liverpool trails 1-0 at half time, with Luis Diaz sending a header over the bar with the Reds' best chance of equalizing before the interval.