But Mo injury is no excuse for defeat, says Robertson

ANDY ROBERTSON believes Sergio Ramos was “clever” when he ended Mo Salah’s Champions League dream.

But the Reds defender refused to use that as an excuse, even after the crushing disappointment of defeat.

Real Madrid were on the point of panic, their defence taken apart by Salah and his two amigos, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino.

Ramos appeared calculated – to the Liverpool world at least – in the way he held Salah’s arm and proceeded to then slam him into the ground, injuring his shoulder. He has been widely condemned for taking the Egypt star out of the game.

Robertson, who produced a brilliant performance, admitted the Real captain showed all his experience in handling Salah’s threat. Asked about the malice in the challenge, he replied: “I don’t know. I was trying to get the ball off Mo. I think it is how he has landed, but Ramos is quite clever, isn’t he?”

There was anger in Egypt with their iconic forward now struggling to make the World Cup, but defender Robertson said the Reds cannot claim it was the reason his side lost.

“We are clutching at straws if we are saying that. It is just the way he has landed. It’s unfortunate. It just disrupted our rhythm a wee bit,” he said.

“Everyone looks because it is Mo Salah. He has done unbelievable this season and for it to end that way for him was devastating.

“The last 10 minutes of the first half, we sat back and they created a couple of chances. We got into half-time 0-0, and that was fine. We started well in the second half, but then the mistake happened. We bounced back so quickly, which was credit for all the lads.

“Then the second goal? What can you say about that? Nobody is stopping that. Fair play to him. We have just fallen short.”

Naturally, teammates refused to condemn keeper Loris Karius for his double error, and 24-year-old Robertson (left) added: “We win as a team, we lose as a team. We fell short. Of course, he made mistakes, but we are not blaming him.

“He will hold his hands up. He has been incredible since he got the No.1 jersey. He is young and he will learn from it. He will be a top, top keeper.”