Andy Robertson: Mo and Sadio would be happy with that finish!
Andy Robertson was delighted to make amends against Arsenal with a goal he feels Sadio Mane or Mohamed Salah would have been proud of.
The Liverpool left-back’s miscued clearance allowed the Gunners to take the lead in Monday’s Premier League clash at Anfield in a first half the home side dominated.
But, after Mane had brought the Reds level within three minutes of Alexandre Lacazette’s opener, Robertson balanced out his own error by moving in off the flank and coolly converting from Trent Alexander-Arnold’s cross.
Jürgen Klopp’s team went on to seal a third win of the Premier League campaign as new signing Diogo Jota struck at the Kop end with two minutes left to play.
Post-match, Robertson spoke to Liverpoolfc.com about the game, his determination to bounce back from his mistake, and the composure he was proud to show in scoring at the other end…
On tonight’s performance and result…
I don’t think there were many negatives from the game. Our defensive display was very good, our attacking was very good. The only thing we can maybe say is we maybe could have taken a couple more of the chances. Of course, the goal could have been avoided – it was definitely the worst assist I’ve ever given! One I wasn’t happy about. Look, these mistakes happen unfortunately; 99 times out of 100 I clear that and the danger is cleared, but unfortunately that was the one time. Luckily, since I’ve came here, I’ve not made many mistakes. But unfortunately that was one and when you make a mistake like that, you always want the team to win and you to try to contribute in different ways. Luckily, I popped up at the other end and I didn’t let that get to me. So, I’m pleased about that. And hopefully the next time that ball comes in I’ll clear it 60 yards the other way.
On the work Liverpool put in to overcome an in-form Arsenal side…
You know by now that our game is based on hard work, first and foremost. We have so much individual quality. Defensively, we’re strong; attacking, we’re strong. But if we don’t work hard we don’t win games, it’s as simple as that – and that’s what has been drilled into us from the manager. Since [Mikel] Arteta has come in, he has turned Arsenal around as a club, as a team on the pitch and off the pitch. We knew it was going to be a tough game. Both teams 100 per cent records so far this season, and they have played with a lot of confidence. So we knew it wasn’t going to be easy, but we knew if we could do what we can do, find [space] in between the lines and get the boys on the ball up top, we believed we could win the game. Luckily, the work-rate and the quality all rolled into one and it was as close to a complete performance as we’ve done this season.
On no defender being involved in more goals in the Premier League since he made his Reds debut…
Make sure the next time you interview Trent you tell him that one! I love scoring and I love assisting but, first and foremost, I love defending. That’s why a part of me still won’t be happy about tonight because I know I caused the [Arsenal] goal. But the fact that we’re walking away with three points and I helped put the team in front and steered us to three points will probably help me sleep tonight. Of course, creating goals and scoring goals is something I like doing and something I want to do, so long may that continue. Hopefully I keep popping up in the right areas. I think I showed a bit of composure there – Mo or Sadio would have been quite happy with that!