Why Andy Robertson will only miss one match and not three despite being shown a straight red card against Fulham

The little-known reason why Liverpool defender Andrew Robertson will only be suspended for one match after being shown a red card has been revealed.

Liverpool's title charge under new manager Arne Slot took a blow on Saturday afternoon as they drew 2-2 in a thrilling match against Fulham at Anfield.

An early red card for Robertson took Liverpool down to ten men and turned the tide of the match, making it considerably harder for the hosts.

However, unlike many other recipients of straight red cards, the Scotsman will only be sidelined for one match due to a little-known rule.

Robertson was sent off in the 17th minute of the match after a foul on Harry Wilson was deemed to have denied a goal scoring opportunity, leading to a straight red card.

Normally, any player that is shown a straight red card is banned for three matches, but this is not the case for Robertson, who will instead miss just one game.

This is because Premier League rules state a three-game ban will not be given to a player if they are sent off for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity.

Therefore, the left-back will only be absent for Liverpool's League Cup quarter-final clash against Southampton at St Mary's Stadium, which Slot will also be absent for after receiving a touchline ban for three yellow cards.

Crucially, this means that he will once again be available for the exciting away trip to the Tottenham Hotspur stadium next weekend.

Liverpool's Andrew Roberson was sent off during the 2-2 draw with Fulham. (Image: Getty)

Speaking about the incident that led to Robertson's red card after the match, Slot praised the defender for the heart he showed after receiving a hard knock just moments before.

"I think what the team showed today, the character they showed, that's also what Robbo showed," said the Dutch manager.

"Sometimes if you get a kick like this, two studs on a knee, that can hurt for a few minutes.

"Nothing to blame on him, [it was] character that he wanted to continue because he got quite a hard knock on his knee with two studs. Unfortunately it led to a red card that was a deserved red card."