Tommy Martin: Remember the one where they kicked Bishop Brennan up the arse...?

Once upon a time, the whistle and flag conferred a sense of moral absolutism. Those who held them were always right, even when they were wrong. There was a dignity about it, even when they got a decision blatantly arse ways.

COMING TO BLOWS: Liverpool's Andrew Robertson appeals to assistant referee Constantine Hatzidakis during the Premier League match at Anfield.

Even on a week in which Frank Lampard made his return to the elite technical areas of Europe, Liverpool’s Andy Robertson allegedly getting elbowed in the throat by an assistant referee was the standout moment of football oddness.

The incident, which occurred at half-time in Sunday’s draw with Arsenal, was a classic man bites dog story. Until now, the term ‘linesman’s elbow’ might have described a nasty condition brought on by overzealous flagging. Constantine Hatzidakis was responsible for football’s version of Kicking Bishop Brennan Up The Arse.