'Everyone had written me off' - Andy Robertson responds to Liverpool critics as slow start explained

With his head bowed and hood pulled firmly up over his head, it was as though Andy Robertson was attempting to sneak out of the Emirates unnoticed a fortnight ago. It had been that kind of afternoon for the Liverpool left-back, outfoxed by Bukayo Saka for the opener and suffering a tough first half in the eventual 2-2 draw against Arsenal.

And it was further evidence of a difficult 12 or so months for Robertson, for whom niggling injuries, a lack of a proper pre-season and adjusting to working under a new boss have all contributed to an inconsistent run of form that has seen him come under intense pressure from Kostas Tsimikas for his regular role.

Not since the opening months of his Anfield career back in 2017, when he was rarely seen until injury to Alberto Moreno, has Robertson had to scrap for his starting role. And his impressive response during Saturday's 2-0 win at Aston Villa, having been recalled to the XI by Arne Slot having been benched for the previous two games, was recognised with chants from the Kop.

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Rather than go into hiding, Robertson has come out fighting. "Look, I am a lot older and a lot wiser now than when I came in," he says. "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 am a lot more experienced and a lot better at switching off from everything like over-reactions 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 (against Villa) I have shown that."

Asked if he had a point to prove after his spell as substitute, Robertson is forthright. "To an extent, yeah," he says. "In the 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 in this position. I am trying to prove people wrong again.

"I missed pre-season which is never ideal for any player. And then I have had the ankle struggles, I got another knock on it against Wolves and it took a bit of time to settle down.

"So, look, I feel good and obviously taking a couple of games out was frustrating. I want to play every game, of course, 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."

Speaking earlier in the month, Slot outlined reasons why Robertson has found it difficult to get up to speed under his tenure, with the lack of preparation in the summer a key factor.

And the Scotland international adds: "I think 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 line-ups!

"It happened with Jurgen (Klopp), 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. 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."

While Robertson adapts, overall Liverpool have had little problem attuning to Slot's demands with the win over Villa a 15th in 17 games in all competitions under the Dutchman to move the Reds five points clear at the Premier League summit.

And as for why the transition is proving so smooth, the 30-year-old has a straightforward response. "Because we’ve won games," he laughs. "It is as simple as that: winning games breeds confidence. You win one and roll on to the next one.

"At the start we had full weeks in between games to do a lot of tactical work. We didn’t have much time in pre-season. There are still a lot of meetings and work on the pitch. The lads are playing really well at the moment, some have been unbelievable. It’s about keeping going and keeping winning games to breed confidence throughout the club."

Champions Manchester City, who stand in second place, had lost 2-1 to Brighton earlier in the day and Robertson - a veteran of several Liverpool title challenges and a Premier League winner in 2020 - acknowledged it added further incentive.

"When your competitors drop points, it is important you capitalise it," he says. "We knew before kick-off it was a massive chance to go ahead of them.

"They are going through a tough moment with injuries but they have a quality squad and I am sure they will come back. They always finish the league strong. We have to keep the momentum we’ve got just now."

Robertson adds: "We can always improve. Villa was a pretty controlled performance but I’m sure the manager and coaches will look at it over the international break and tell us what we can do better. But it’s been a good start, we can’t hide away from that.

"Top of the Premier League in November is always good but we always know there are teams behind us. City always finish the league strong, Arsenal have had a tough start but believe they can catch us. We have to keep winning games, we can’t focus on the league just now.

"When you get beyond the New Year maybe you can start looking more ahead. But now we are just trying to improve as a team and win as a team – and see where that takes us. "