Liverpool defender Andy Robertson has vowed to show his critics improper after shedding his place within the beginning lineup to Greece worldwide Kostas Tsimikas.
Robertson admitted he felt “written off” following a disappointing particular person show in Liverpool’s 2-2 draw with Arsenal final month, wherein he was at fault for Bukayo Saka‘s opening purpose. The 30-year-old was withdrawn shortly after the hour mark on the Emirates and was named on the bench for subsequent wins over Brighton & Hove Albion and Bayer Leverkusen.
Arne Slot restored Robertson to the beginning XI for Saturday’s 2-0 victory over Aston Villa and the left-back has since revealed he’s keen to point out that he nonetheless has an vital function to play on this Liverpool staff.
“Final couple of video games I have been on the bench and I acquired doubters for the primary time in a very long time, first time at this membership,” Robertson stated. “But it surely fits me on this place. I’m attempting to show folks improper once more. I attempted to try this towards Villa.
“I wish to play each recreation, in fact, however that was not doable. I knew that the following time I acquired an opportunity I’d take it and that is what I attempted to do.”
Robertson was near an ever-present beneath Jürgen Klopp after becoming a member of Liverpool from Hull Metropolis in 2017. He has made greater than 300 appearances for the membership, successful each the Premier League and Champions League, however has spent a lot of this time period enjoying catch-up after sustaining an ankle ligament harm which disrupted his preseason.
“Look, I’m loads older and loads wiser now than once I got here in,” the defender stated. “Once I first got here in I used to be solely 23, first time enjoying for an enormous membership. I’ve been right here for seven years and gained the whole lot, performed in loads of massive video games.
“I’m much more skilled and loads higher at switching off from the whole lot like overreactions and issues like that. In all probability a foul 45 minutes of soccer towards Arsenal, it was not nice. I feel just about everybody had written me off after that. That’s soccer and that’s what occurs today.
“Individuals can write me off all they need. However I’ll at all times attempt to preserve working, preserve bettering. I’ve tried to try this and hopefully I’ve proven that.”
Greece worldwide Tsimikas, who joined Liverpool from Olympiacos in 2020, is at the moment in a wealthy vein of type and has made 11 appearances in all competitions beneath Slot this season.
Robertson insists he has a robust relationship with the Liverpool head coach, including: “I feel the supervisor may be very open and sincere, we’ve spoken fairly just a few occasions and it has at all times been good conversations.
“There’s mutual respect between each of us even when we do not agree with the staff line-ups. It occurred with Jürgen, it has occurred with Scotland — and I at all times have respect for the supervisor. He is aware of my expertise within the altering room and the way I attempt to assist everybody else. And that will not cease. However I do like enjoying.
“I like beginning and being on the pitch however once I’m not I attempt to be as skilled as I can and simply attempt to do my speaking on the coaching pitch and anticipate my probability.”
Liverpool have been handed an harm increase with the return of midfielder Harvey Elliott to full coaching. The 21-year-old has been sidelined for the previous two months, having suffered a fractured foot whereas on worldwide responsibility with England under-21s.
Elliott has now taken a major step ahead in his rehabilitation by collaborating in a full coaching session with the Reds’ U21 squad on the AXA Coaching Centre on Monday.
