Sure, Mohamed Salah is banging in goals for fun, Sadio Mané's still got it and Bobby Firmino is Jurgen Klopp's "engine", but Andy Robertson is Liverpool's unsung hero this season.
Andrew Robertson arrived at Anfield with very little fanfare last summer when his £8 million transfer from Hull to Liverpool was completed. Even the most hardened Liverpool fan would perhaps be stretching if they predicted the Scotsman would make such an impact when given a run of games, with "he can't be worse than Moreno" perhaps being the more popular sentiment.
Left back has been a problem position for the Merseyside men perhaps since John Arne Riise left the club back in 2008, with Jurgen Klopp famously transforming midfielder James Milner into a makeshift left back last season. Alberto Moreno seemed to redeem himself in the eyes of the manager (Sevilla away aside) but went down to injury during Liverpool's 7-0 Champions League win against Spartak Moscow back in December.
Enter Andrew Robertson. The 23 year old Scottish International had reportedly spoken to Jurgen Klopp back in November about his frustration at his lack of game time at Anfield after playing a full 90 minutes for his country against the Netherlands.
Of course it’s difficult for me, I don’t make any secret of it. I hate not playing. I was a bit rusty and it probably caught up with me in the last 20 minutes, but that’s something I’ve got to look at. I need to get more game time. If I can keep doing what I’m doing then, hopefully, my chance will come.
And come, his chance did. Robertson capitalised on Moreno's bad luck by turning in a string of performances that have been incredibly impressive but have perhaps gone under the radar by most. Perhaps the biggest compliment to Robertson is the silence, as pundits and fans alike have been perhaps overly vocal on his positional rival Alberto Moreno's many mistakes in a red shirt.
The left full put in another man of the match worthy performance against Everton in Liverpool's victory in the all Merseyside FA Cup 3rd round tie, which was naturally overshadowed by record signing Virgil Van Dijk's late headed winner at the Kop end.
Robertson was again on form today, limiting pantomime villain Raheem Sterling to a mere bystander, with fans and pundits alike starting to notice the previously unnoticed.
This lad Andy Robertson, just outstanding.
— Michael Foley (@MickFoley76) January 14, 2018
The Kop are bellowing Andy Robertson's name and with good reason. His performance has been exceptional, caused Raheem Sterling to shortcircuit. He may have just made the left-back position his own.
— Dominic King (@DominicKing_DM) January 14, 2018
Liverpool are only good when there’s a Scottish full back
— Aidan (@onthenickel) January 14, 2018
Andy Robertson
33 passes ✅
7 tackles ✅
7 clearances ✅
78% pass accuracy ✅
Another great game for #LFC 👍
Here's how he rated 👇https://t.co/K72Is4huCm pic.twitter.com/2tyYFPWliv— Liverpool FC News (@LivEchoLFC) January 14, 2018
Andy Robertson fantastic again for Liverpool. MotM today imo
— Stephen Doyle (@dubsoulrebel) January 14, 2018
Robertson is a hero. Love him.
— Cormac O'Malley (@cormacpro) January 14, 2018
Robertson's a player 💪🏻
— Owen Mulligan (@owen_mulligan) January 14, 2018
Andy Robertson (23) won more tackles • 7 • and made more clearances • 7 • than any other player on the pitch at Anfield today.
Rampaging. Relentless. Red.
🔴 pic.twitter.com/25LU4tMSi7— Scouted Football (@scoutedftbl) January 14, 2018
Every Scottish football fan watching Andy Robertson in this game. pic.twitter.com/IBvccKF3ss
— Graham Ruthven (@grahamruthven) January 14, 2018
Before kick off, all eyes were yet again on Raheem Sterling as he came up against his former club especially considering the fine form that he's been in this season, scoring 14 times in the league for the Citizens. But Robertson time and again denied Sterling as he was jeered and booed by his former adorers.
It's early days for Robertson on Merseyside but if he can continue on his current run of form the former Hull City man looks set to add his name to other Scotsmen who made their names in a Scouse defence like Steve Nicol and Alan Hansen.
