Liverpool news: Jurgen Klopp believes Robertson value taken for granted
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp believes Andrew Robertson’s brilliant form since joining the club has been taken for granted.
The Scotland international has been one of the Reds’ most consistent performers over the past two seasons and ranked second at the club for assists (11) and chances created (51) in the Premier League during 2018/19.
Robertson’s recent struggles: Five things to know…
- Robertson has been one of Klopp’s key players since joining Liverpool from Hull in 2017.
- But he is often criticised for poor performances in a Scotland shirt. including during the recent international break.
- The left-back gave away a penalty in Liverpool’s 2-0 defeat to Napoli on Tuesday.
- He was also partly at fault for Napoli’s second goal, although Virgil van Dijk bore the brunt of the blame.
- Klopp believes Robertson’s form for Liverpool is often taken for granted.
But the 25-year-old has often struggled when playing for his country and following some sub-par performances for Scotland in the recent international break, Robertson has carried that form over to Liverpool, coming in for some heavy criticism for his role in the Reds’ 2-0 Champions League defeat to Napoli in midweek.
But Klopp has backed his left-back, insisting Robertson has started this season just as strong as the last and passing off his performance against Napoli as an isolated incident.
“The criticism has nothing to do with expectation,” said Klopp.
“It is to do with the world out there. He has played well for weeks and months and then you take it for granted. The game before [Newcastle] he was maybe the best player on the pitch.
“We all agree that it was not a penalty. Was it smart from [José] Callejón? Yes, if you want to be smart like this. He wanted to get Robertson out of the game with little challenges and discussions with the referee, and he got a harsh yellow card.
“When you face very experienced players they try everything to decrease your quality.
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“Nothing else happened. It was a completely normal game from Robbo.”
Liverpool have made a 100 per cent start to the new Premier League season but face a tough test away to Chelsea on Sunday in their next match.
