Liverpool legend Andy Robertson addressed his doubters while highlighting the desire to fight for the starting role under Arne Slot. The 31-year-old admitted that he had a bad first half against Arsenal in the 2-2 draw at the Emirates Stadium.
Robertson struggled with nagging injuries that played a big role in his inconsistencies last season along with Kostas Tsimikas’s struggle. The absence of both left-backs during the injury crisis forced Jurgen Klopp to put Joe Gomez as the make-shift left-back.
Gomez delivered strong and consistent performances from the left-back position until both Robertson and Tsimikas returned from their respective injuries. New Liverpool head coach Slot has shuffled between Tsimikas and Robertson to maintain the fitness level during the early stages.
However, the Greek international has delivered some strong performances ahead of the first-choice Scotsman, forcing a reassessment of the hierarchy. Robertson returned to the starting lineup against Aston Villa and delivered a fantastic performance for Liverpool in a 2-0 victory.
The Scotland captain made three clearances, two interceptions and one tackle, winning two out of three ground duels against Villa. Furthermore, the 31-year-old enjoyed 86% passing accuracy with 97 touches while making two accurate crosses and two accurate long balls.
Robertson also won a foul and delivered two key passes in a fantastic display against a strong Unai Emery’s side. Speaking to the Guardian, the Scotland captain revealed that he has doubters for the first time in his Liverpool career. He said:
“The last couple of games I’ve been on the bench and I got doubters for the first time in a long time, first time at this club. But it suits me in this position. I am trying to prove people wrong again. I am a lot older and a lot wiser now than when I came in. When I first came in I was only 23, first time playing for a big club. I have been here for seven years and won everything, played in a lot of big games. I am a lot more experienced and a lot better at switching off from everything like overreactions and things like that.”
Robertson accepted the reason behind all the doubts as his poor performance against Arsenal demands improvement. He added:
“Probably a bad 45 minutes of football against Arsenal, it was not great. I think pretty much everyone had written me off after that. That is football and that is what happens these days. People can write me off all they want. But I will always try to keep working, keep improving, I have tried to do that and hopefully I have shown that [against Villa].”
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Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk and legendary forward Mohamed Salah had faced doubters in the past as well. They proved their naysayers wrong on the pitch by displaying their ability to bounce back from the adversities. The majority of Kopites have faith in their Scottish warrior to prove himself and enjoy many seasons at the topmost level at Anfield.
