Former Premier League referee Dermot Gallagher has said he would be stunned if Constantine Hatzidakis lost composure in the alleged incident with Liverpool defender Andy Robertson.
At the end of the first-half in their top-flight crunch match, the Scotland captain was in discussion with the assistant referee on the near side. As the incident unravels, it appeared that the official raises his arm and catches the former Hull City full-back with his right elbow.
Sky Sports cameras caught the incident and as players walked off at half-time, Robertson as well as his teammates and Liverpool coach Vitor Matos were in heated discussions with Paul Tierney over what transpired. The 29-year-old was booked for his protests.
PAUL GORST: Arsenal may have just unleashed Jurgen Klopp's new Liverpool on the Premier League
IAN DOYLE: Virgil van Dijk change confirmed as double return looms
READ MORE: PGMOL release statement after linesman Constantine Hatzidakis appears to elbow Andy Robertson
The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) released a statement before full-time of the 2-2 draw at Anfield and said they would "review the matter in full once the game has concluded".
Speaking on Sky Sports, Gallagher, who officiated in the top-flight for 15 years between 1992 and 2007, remained impartial on the incident and said he wouldn't make a comment on the matter until appropriate information was disclosed. He did however discuss the character of the 38-year-old official.
Here is every word from what former Premier League Dermot Gallagher said on the incident:
Sky Sports presenter: "Have you ever seen anything like that on a football field because you watch football a lot of officials at various levels?"
Dermot Gallagher: "I haven't. Not at any level. I've had the misfortune to have read about some of my colleagues who have been in unsavoury incidents but this is so unusual because the higher you go in football, I've just never heard or seen anything like it.
"It's just a matter of being careful that you don't suddenly start to speculate and make your own mind up on what's happened before later tonight or tomorrow morning or even later in the week. It's a matter of ascertaining all the information available from all relevant parties and piecing it together then deciding."
Sky Sports presenter: "We were talking as you walked into the studio, you know him, he's ran the line for you before, what sort of character is he?"
Dermot Gallagher: "He's a really great guy, I'm not just saying that. I remember Con [Constantine Hatzidakis] when he just started refereeing, he was very keen, he wanted to learn, he wanted to do well. He came to a game at Millwall's training ground, he ran the line in the reserve match.
"After the game, he was just thirsting for knowledge, asking about things that happened in the game, he went higher up, went on to become a referee in the National League and I had the privilege of watching him at Eastleigh referee a game. He's a good referee.
"You don't get to that level if you're not a good referee and he had a good opportunity then in the pathway in refereeing to chose whether you want to be a referee or an assistant, he chose to be an assistant and he's gone on to be an international assistant. He's really at the top of his game but he's a really nice guy."
Sky Sports presenter: "We see it with managers all the time regardless of what type of player you are, there can be a moment where the red mist descends over you, whether he feels it got to the end of 45 minutes and Andy Robertson has been in his ear all the way through the first-half that he's just got a little bit frustrated.
"Again, speculation is difficult but is it possible that that's just happened, he's got to the end of his tether in a massive game and occasion where it started to flare a little bit?"
Dermot Gallagher: "I can only speak for myself and I've refereed in some hostile atmosphere, some really tough games at all levels, I refereed a south American Champions League final in Brazil, it's a tough environment.
"I can't ever imagine me in a position where I would lose my own composure because when you referee you have to be in control, that's the only way you can control the players is by controlling yourself so I'd be stunned if he was in that position - I'm not saying he didn't - but I'd be stunned. That's alien how we're brought up as referees."
READ NEXT
'I don’t like saying it' - Roy Keane makes 'bizarre' Liverpool admission after Arsenal draw
'It is a big step' - Jurgen Klopp explains Trent Alexander-Arnold change of position for Liverpool
Jurgen Klopp to hold Mohamed Salah talks over Liverpool penalty role after Arsenal miss
Arsenal will be delighted with Roberto Firmino decision after Liverpool drama
