Ugly brawl between Liverpool and Leicester players was sparked by Robertson pushing Perez, claims Rodgers
BRENDAN RODGERS claims Andrew Robertson sparked the ugly brawl with Leicester players furious at Liverpool’s controversial late penalty winner.
Ex-Reds boss Rodgers says his Foxes players erupted because Liverpool left-back Robertson shoved Ayoze Perez.
Leicester were already outraged by what their scorer James Maddison called the home side’s “very soft”, VAR-backed spot-kick in the 95th minute.
Foxes stars accused Sadio Mane of tumbling theatrically under the challenge of sub Marc Albrighton, James Milner tucking home Liverpool’s resulting penalty.
And after the final whistle rival players clashed on the pitch.
Anfield duo Milner and Robertson were at the centre of the pushing, along with Spanish midfielder Peres.
But it was Scotland star Roberton, 25, who Rodgers singled out.
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The former Celtic manager said: “According to the guys, Andy Robertson celebrated and pushed him at the final whistle which he probably didn’t expect.
“He was obviously annoyed at that and it leads to a melee. But it was nothing.”
Rodgers added: “To concede a 95th minute penalty was difficult to take,.
“We probably deserved a point from the game. We showed our qualities to come from a goal behind.
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‘We looked like we could go on and win the game. Thought it was a very soft penalty, certainly not clear and obvious.”
And in-form playmaker Maddison, whose low drive on 80 minutes had cancelled out Mane’s opener, confirmed the Foxes’ fury over the spot-kick.
The England hopeful, 22, said: “It was very soft. The contact doesn’t warrant the way Mane went down.”