Andy Robertson has described Sergio Ramos as "quite clever" but refused to blame Liverpool's Champions League final defeat on the injury the Real Madrid captain caused for Mohamed Salah.
Jurgen Klopp's side suffered a 3-1 defeat in Kiev on Saturday as Madrid claimed the trophy for a third year in a row.
Liverpool's hopes of upsetting the holders were dealt a blow half an hour in, when Salah went off with a shoulder injury following a tangle with Ramos in the Madrid half.
A number of pundits and social media users have suggested the centre-back deliberately held on to Salah's arm when jostling for the ball, thereby making his fall awkward.
Klopp compared the challenge to a wrestling throw but Robertson is not certain Ramos' act was malicious.
"I don't know," he said. "I was trying to get the ball off Mo. I think it is just how he has landed but Ramos is quite clever, isn't he?"
Asked if losing Salah was the reason for his side's defeat, the full-back replied: "We are clutching at straws if we are saying that. It is just the way he has landed on it. It's unfortunate. Hopefully, he'll come back bigger and stronger.
"I think it could have been Mo, it could have been any of us. It just disrupted our rhythm a wee bit. He has done unbelievable this season and for it to end that way for him was devastating."