Andy Robertson has vowed to prove his doubters wrong after being “written off” for the first time in his Liverpool career.
The Scotland international has found his opportunities limited in recent weeks with Kostas Tsimikas given more game time by head coach Arne Slot.
Tsimikas was preferred for the recent Premier League win over Brighton and the subsequent Champions League triumph over Bayer Leverkusen.
However, Robertson was recalled for Saturday’s victory over Aston Villa and is determined to re-establish himself in the side after a difficult period.
Asked if he felt he had a point to prove, he said: “To an extent, yeah. 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. I am trying to prove people wrong again. I tried to do that against Villa.”
Robertson missed most of pre-season due to an ankle ligament injury and Slot has highlighted that as a key factor in his decision to frequently rotate at left-back. The absence left the 30-year-old playing catch-up and he suffered at the hands of Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka when Liverpool drew at the Emirates last month.
He’s been an automatic first choice for Liverpool since midway through his first season at Anfield in 2017-18 but now finds himself with serious competition with Tsimikas in decent form.
“Missing pre-season is never ideal for any player,” Robertson said.
“Then I’ve had the ankle struggles. I got another knock on it against Wolves and it took a bit of time to settle down. Taking a couple of games out was frustrating. But I knew that the next time I got a chance I would take it.
“I am a lot older and a lot wiser now than when I first came here. Back then 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.
“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 what happens these days.
“People can write me off all they want. But I will always try to keep working, keep improving.”
Robertson, who has spoken extensively to Slot about his situation, added: “The manager is very open and honest. It has always been good conversations.
“There is mutual respect between both of us even if we don’t agree with the team line-ups!
“It happened with Jurgen, it has happened with Scotland. He knows my experience in the changing room and how I try to help everyone else. And that won’t stop. But I do like playing!
“I like starting and being on the pitch but when I’m not I try to be as professional as I can and just try to do my talking on the training pitch and wait for my chance.”
(Paul Ellis/AFP via Getty Images)
