Andy Robertson on his mutual Liverpool respect with Arne Slot 'even if we don't agree with the line ups'

Andy Robertson isn't fazed by having to prove his critics wrong as he continues to be rotated by Arne Slot.

The new Liverpool boss has the Reds flying, they are currently top of the Premier League and the Champions League with many tipping them to now win the domestic prize and at least go close to continental glory too. However, Robertson has found himself watching on from the bench invariably so far this season, with Slot starting Kostas Tsimikas in key matches against Brighton and Bayer Leverkusen. The Scotland captain did start against Aston Villa on Saturday night, though, as his side went five points clear at the top of the table.

Since joining the Anfield side in 2017, only Mo Salah has played more outfield minutes for the club, with Jurgen Klopp consistently putting his faith in the energetic full-back and seeing that belief pay off with a league title, Champions League triumph, and numerous domestic accolades being added to the Anfield trophy room. A below-par opening 45 minutes performance against Arsenal had some beginning to doubt the 30-year-old but he backs himself to bounce back from the dip in form as he now focuses on captaining his country in a crunch Nations League doubleheader.

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Robertson said: "Last couple of games I've been on the bench and I've got doubters for the first time in a long time. But it suits me in this position. I am trying to prove people wrong again. I tried to do that against Villa. I want to play every game but that was not possible. I knew that the next time I got a chance I would take it and that's what I tried to do."

The former Dundee United and Hull player says his maturity helps him tune out from the noise that often surrounds football, and remains unfazed by any external pressure.

"Look, I am a lot older and a lot wiser now," said Robertson. "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'm 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 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."

Slot’s arrival at Anfield hasn’t brought many sweeping changes to the club and Robertson is comfortable with the new manager’s open communication style. The Scot added: "The manager is very open and honest, we have spoken quite a few times and it has always been good conversations.

"There is mutual respect between both of us even if we don't agree with the team lineups. It happened with Jurgen, it has happened with Scotland - and I always have respect for the manager. He knows my experience in the changing room and how I try to help everyone else. And that won't stop."