Andy Robertson opens up on new role as Liverpool injuries continue to pile up
Andy Robertson says Liverpool’s grand masters are guiding the Kop’s next generation through the “alien” rapids of the title race.
Full-back Robertson’s return from a three-month injury absence has offset the growing list of Anfield crocks, with another three players forced out of the 4-1 win at Brentford in the opening 45 minutes.
Curtis Jones, who left the Gtech Stadium with his left ankle cased in a protective moon boot, and striker Diogo Jota (on crutches and in a knee brace) have no chance of being fit for the Carabao Cup final against Chelsea next Sunday.
And Darwin Nunez was withdrawn at the interval as a precaution as manager Jurgen Klopp admitted the Reds had to “push the brake” on their wretched luck with injuries. But Robertson was buoyed by a clinical performance at a venue where Liverpool had lost 3-1 and drawn 3-3 on their two previous visits.
And he revealed Klopp’s core of senior players are playing an increasingly key role in shepherding the new wave of young stars towards the winning post. He said: “We spoke about it before the game as we have struggled here in the past.
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"So it was always going to be a difficult game. We were clinical and it was a good team performance. When you win 4-1 at such a tough place, everyone is happy, but three lads came off which is not great as we already had a few injuries before that.
“To lose three players in one game is difficult so we need to dig deep and stick together like we always have. We will wait and see with the injuries and hopefully they are not so bad, but whatever the outcome we will go again on Wednesday (against Luton at Anfield).
“Everyone who came in has done so well and even the lads who came on against Brentford did not make a difference in terms of the performance. That is what we need to do if we are to win trophies. We need a whole squad. It is not about an 11-man team, it is about a 25-man squad - and we are certainly making use of that this season.”
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Robertson played all 90 minutes as Liverpool smashed Brentford (Kieran McManus/REX/Shutterstock)Liverpool, two points clear at the summit, are now the Premier League ’s top scorers, and in many neutral eyes they are the people’s champions, but Robertson shrugged: “We don’t think about that, to be honest.
“We know our fans will support us to the end and want us to win the League and want us to win every competition we are in. We know about the expectation. If the neutrals enjoy watching us play, we must be doing something right. But the 1-0 wins are just as important as the 4-1 wins and there are a lot of tough games to come.
“I have always been a senior figure, even in the previous seasons when we maybe had more natural leaders, but now we have young lads who have stepped in, players like Curtis Jones, who are now leaders.
“It is about the collective, about everyone talking, about everyone getting along. We have lost quite a few players who were in the squad last season and, to some of the lads, this is alien to them as they have not done it before.
“But the experienced lads try to put that across and try to help them. Man City are the most experienced as they (won) have the most titles and they can benefit massively from their previous seasons.
“ Arsenal will benefit massively from last season, so they look in a stronger spot. It will be about who does it best until the end of the season. You talk to the younger lads every single day, you try and help them and tell them about your experiences.
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“A lot of other players helped me when I was younger. Now it is my turn to do it to the others. Conor Bradley plays in a similar position to me and I speak to him all the time. The young lads are receptive and take it on board. I think they quite enjoy it.”
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