Why Andy Robertson still has so much to offer Arne Slot's Liverpool

Andy Robertson taking a disastrous tumble as Bukayo Saka cut inside for a near post finish bookended his evening. One might interpret his performance for what it was: a full-back unable to contain one of the world’s best wingers.

Many would suggest otherwise, creating a toxic discourse fueled by reactionaries that have become commonplace in the modern game.

It’s no secret that Robertson struggled to deal with the threat posed by Saka on Sunday, or Chelsea’s Noni Madueke a week prior. In fact, the Scotland captain himself would likely admit to his underwhelming impact on Arne Slot’s Liverpool.

However, suggesting that Robertson’s time as a starter for Liverpool is over is outlandish.

Klopp's Scottish stalwart

The Reds paid £8 million to Hull City in 2017, with the left-back quickly establishing himself in Jurgen Klopp’s side and was viewed as an astute buy.

Boasting an outstanding work ethic and proving effective on both ends of the pitch, Robertson formed a formidable partnership with Trent Alexander-Arnold. Together, they have registered 114 Premier League assists, with the Scot contributing 55.

As Alexander-Arnold enters the prime years of his career, 30-year-old Robertson seems to have left his in the rear view mirror. The days of deposing Real Madrid great Marcelo in the 2019 UEFA Team of the Year, are long gone but Slot could yet bring Robertson back to his blistering best.

While the Dutchman’s ‘controlled’ approach encourages full-backs to get forward, the key difference to Klopp’s ‘heavy metal’ football is the lack of over-committal.

On the front foot, Robertson thrives on and around the opposition goal line, where he can maneuver the ball into dangerous areas. Consequently, the Reds have seen little of his trademark plays this season.

Nunez the key to unlocking Robertson?

The Scot certainly hasn’t been helped by skipper Virgil van Dijk’s license to create attacking plays with cross-field diagonals, nor has the revitalized Ibrahima Konate who seems much more confident on the ball.

However, Diogo Jota’s injury has side-lined him until after the November international break, thrusting Darwin Nunez back into the limelight.

The Uruguayan’s raw pace and athleticism make for an ideal target man to get on the end of Robertson’s crosses.

With Liverpool operating on the counter-attack for large periods against both Chelsea and Arsenal, the Reds may find themselves having to dig deep once again as they navigate this difficult run of fixtures.

Since his debut in August 2017, only Mohamed Salah has played more minutes than Andy Robertson and the Egyptian has hit back at critics questioning his longevity. Can he do the same?