Andy Robertson warns VAR is making people fall out of love with football as Liverpool ace admits he’d rather ‘leave it to the referee’s naked eye’

Liverpool defender Andy Robertson has said players and supporters are falling out of love with football because of VAR’s inconsistency.

The Scotland international conceded a late penalty during Saturday’s trip to Brighton, having been adjudged to have fouled Danny Welbeck.

Referee Stuart Atwell consulted the pitchside monitor himself to take a look at the incident before eventually awarding the injury-time spot-kick which was scored to secure the Seagulls a 1-1 draw.

Robertson took to Twitter to express his frustration following the match, with Jurgen Klopp and skipper Jordan Henderson similarly incensed with the decision.

Speaking ahead of Liverpool’s Champions League clash against Ajax, Robertson said: “When VAR came in we believed there would be no grey areas, it would all be black and white, and I don’t think we are quite getting that just now.

“There are a lot of improvements to be made, we knew we had to be patient with VAR and it wouldn’t just be perfect overnight but we are now 18 months down the line and still the same mistakes are being made.

“On Saturday… If the rules and the referee deem that to be a penalty, then I have no problem with it.

“But I was also watching the games [on Sunday] and I saw two very similar [challenges] on Marcus Rashford and Adama Traore that went unpunished and looked very similar to what I did to Danny Welbeck and both of them weren’t a penalty and mine was.

“For me, either all three have to be a penalty or all three aren’t. It is frustrating for teams to see certain decisions in different games go against them and they think it is very similar.

“We are just looking for consistency. We believed we would get that with VAR and maybe we aren’t getting it just now. Hopefully that can come in time because I think the game is crying out for it.”

Robertson believes it would be more beneficial to let the on-field referee have the final say due to the continued uncertainty and debate regarding certain decisions this season.

He added: “I would rather leave it up to the referee’s naked eye. It is much easier to accept mistakes then than when so much technology is around it.”

Robertson also echoed teammate James Milner’s view that fans and players are falling out of love with the game in the current climate.

“I used to love going to football games and being in that moment to celebrate a goal,” the 26-year-old explained.

“That’s just taken out of the game. Now you’re waiting sometimes two to three minutes to see if there is an offside. If it’s that tight for me then leave it to whatever decision they have made.

“Millie echoed not just what players but also a lot of football fans are feeling. A lot of people I speak to aren’t enjoying watching football as much as they did before.”