Opinion: The Five Moments That Made Anfield Fall In Love With Andy Robertson | OneFootball

Opinion: The Five Moments That Made Anfield Fall In Love With Andy Robertson

With the announced departure of Andy Robertson at the end of the season, it is only right to look back on what has been a legendary career with the Reds.   The 32-year-old has had less game time than he hoped for due to the recent arrival of Milos Kerkez, with rumours of an agreement with long-time admirers Spurs on the condition of them staying in the Premier League for next season.   The Scotsman is just four assists behind Trent Alexander-Arnold’s record for the most assists as a defender on 60, with the Scotsman’s departure marking the end of one of the best fullback partnerships of all time.   With the left-back making 373 appearances for the club, here are the five moments that defined “Robbo” and established his legendary status with Liverpool Football Club.

Andy Robertson Leaving Liverpool… WHAT NEXT?

1 – The vigorous press against Manchester City   This really was the introduction to Robbo on the big stage. Non-stop hard work, aggression and a perfect summary of what Klopp’s system was about.   4-1 up against title rivals Manchester City with 15 minutes to go, and he still sprinted the length of City’s half, forcing the ball from the halfway line back to Ederson with incredible intensity. It felt like it was the turning point with the club moving in the right direction, fuelled by the energy of Andy Robertson.    2- The iconic laugh in the Merseyside Derby   The cherry on the cake for a sweet 2-0 victory in 2023; Pickford was not happy with the Scotsman, which Robbo found very funny.   It grabbed the headlines, showed us why we love Robertson, and rallied up the fans by provoking a rival player in a huge derby is always good for fans to see.   It was obvious Liverpool would maintain the 2-0 lead after that, with Robertson’s off-the-ball antics being key there, an asset of his that has gone very under the radar during his Liverpool career.    3- The treatment of Messi to keep him quiet   Keeping Messi quiet is no mean feat. It’s something that rarely happens in his career, especially when his side is 3-0 up after the first leg of a Champions League semi-final tie.   However, it was the off-the-ball antics that showed Robertson’s treatment of even the world’s best was strong. Robertson put his head into Messi to show that he was not getting away with anything. An early “let them know you’re there” altercation; it set the mood to show Liverpool feared nobody. Messi didn’t get a look-in in that game, and the Scotsman struck fear into Messi on that side; it was an unforgettable display.

4- Competing for the assist record with TAA   Whilst the 32-year-old is the highest-assisting left back in Premier League history by taking over from Leighton Baines, he and Trent Alexander-Arnold’s high frequency of assists really felt like a competition.   The way the pair would be assisting so often was a joy to watch, and Robertson’s trademark overlapping run was one of the most common ways he unlocked defences to put the ball on a plate for the front three. He had one of the best crosses in the world in that Klopp team, which was an incredible asset to go alongside his brilliant defensive solidity.   Up there as the best left back in Premier League history, he can cement himself in Premier League history by getting four more assists to level Trent’s assist record of 64. It was a treat to have them both on the team; they completely revolutionised how fullbacks can be used in attack as well as defence.   5- Winning every trophy at club level   To complete the full trophy cabinet of major trophies at the top level is an incredibly rare achievement. For Robertson to have achieved that sums up how good he was as a player and his career at Liverpool.   Two Premier League titles, a Champions League, two FA Cups, a Carabao Cup and a Club World Cup. A very decorated trophy cabinet for possibly the hardest-working defender that has put on a Liverpool shirt. Every trophy he won was because he was a huge part of that team. Not an individual moment, but a collective of brilliant moments that define Robertson’s Liverpool career.   It is sad to get the news he will leave upon the expiry of his contract, as you cannot replace his hard work, his physicality and his quality on and off the ball. He was incredibly consistent and rarely had an off game; he was Mr Reliable, and there were no players Robertson had to face that would worry him or the fans, which is a testament to him as a professional.