Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has expressed his hope that teammate Andy Robertson has avoided serious injury - after the Scotsman was on the receiving end of a heavy challenge in the 2-2 draw against Fulham.

The left-back experienced something of a day to forget at Anfield on Saturday (Dec. 14) as he featured for just 17 minutes of the action before being sent off. The 30-year-old was dismissed following a lengthy VAR check, as the referee's original decision to show him a red card was upheld by officials at Stockley Park.

Prior to this, the Reds stalwart had been involved in many of the game's key moments up to that point, having also been on the receiving end of a late tackle just a minute into proceedings. Fulham center-back Issa Diop's raised foot connected with Robertson's knee, leaving the Liverpool man writhing in pain on the turf.

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Having whistled for a foul, referee Tony Harrington issued the Frenchman with a yellow card for the foul, with this call then checked by VAR. Again, the officials decided to stick with the on-field decision after it was determined that the tackle did not warrant a potential red card instead.

A statement on the matter was later issued by the Premier League which read: " "The referee issued a yellow card to [Issa] Diop for a challenge on [Andy] Robertson. VAR checked for a potential red card and confirmed the referee’s call of reckless challenge and yellow card."

Now, Liverpool skipper Van Dijk has issued a message to Robertson after he was asked if he had sympathy for his teammate after what was a challenging day at the office. The Dutchman said: "Of course. How good was he in midweek?

"That moment, the first one where he gets the kick on the knee — hopefully it isn't a big injury — that's a dangerous one and in the moments after it happened, it is not easy for him or all of us," he continued. "But we are there for him like always, and he has been so good for us, and he will be still for us. Hopefully, no bad injury, and he can be back in the team and be good again."

Aside from that controversial tackle in the first minute and his sending off later in the half, Robertson was also involved in Fulham's opener. Andreas Pereira got on the end of a well-weighted cross at the back post, diverting an acrobatic effort towards goal - before the ball deflected in off Robertson at the Kop end.

Liverpool boss Arne Slot later remarked upon how an injury picked up earlier in proceedings affected the Scotland captain in his remaining minutes on the field. Speaking about his dismissal, he told Sky Sports: "I think Robbo might have been a bit too injured to keep going because normally he's faster than that.

"It says a lot about his character that he wants to keep on going but it results in a red card. I think it's just whether it's offside. I was clear it wasn't going to be changed. It's maybe the only thing I didn't complain about today. It's an emotional game and we were a man down, it's frustrating. It's good to see our performance after so many setbacks."