Saturday’s battle of the Robbos had one clear winner, however strategies Liverpool’s excellent left-back signing was taking part in for Fulham ignore one huge flaw.
For some, seeing Andy Robertson line up towards Antonee Robinson represented the current and way forward for Arne Slot‘s left flank; the visiting full-back held up as an excellent substitute.
The 2 ARs solely bolstered that perception as Robertson was despatched off after simply 17 minutes and Robinson produced one other show of ferocious attacking energy that noticed him help each of Fulham‘s objectives.
It was Robinson’s lofted cross for Andreas Pereira which was deflected past Alisson through Robertson’s knee for 1-0, earlier than the USA worldwide simply ghosted previous Jarell Quansah to ship a cutback for Rodrigo Munez’s flick to make it 2-1 late on.
No participant contested (14) or gained (eight) extra duels than Fulham‘s No. 33, who additionally created probably the most probabilities (4) for both aspect and touched the ball extra occasions than some other visiting participant (60) per FotMob.
“What a efficiency,” was Fulham supervisor Marco Silva’s response.
“It was troublesome to specific in phrases the efficiency this afternoon – once more, it’s not the primary time.
“I do know that he’s a participant that if I’ve to play once more in two or three days’ time, he’s going to be prepared once more.
“He’s an important athlete, however the best way he’s been bettering in our defensive course of, some defensive setups, he’s at all times open-minded to be taught and he’s been bettering.
“And naturally, in assault, he’s already the full-back with probably the most assists from open play within the Premier League. Final season he was as effectively.
“It exhibits the best way he’s been bettering, as a result of a participant that arrives so many occasions there, he must be decisive and I feel this season he’s exhibiting extra of that.
“However as effectively, taking part in towards Salah, lots of conditions one-vs-one, the best way he was courageous, the best way he was assertive and aggressive in the proper approach, with a yellow card from 25, half-hour into the sport, even so at all times actually aggressive in a great way.
“Up and down each single time, what a efficiency.
“For me, he’s an important instance, one of many biggest in our dressing room. The way in which he works, the best way he’s been taking part in, he’s been sensible for us and we’re actually happy to have him.”
A mannequin skilled, league-leading in his output and now confirmed up towards a participant extensively thought-about the very best on the earth in his place in Mohamed Salah – Silva appeared to be making fairly the pitch for events.
However the Portuguese was fast to downplay any strategies that Robinson may go away Fulham within the January switch window.
“I don’t wish to communicate an excessive amount of about him, as a result of I do know this coming January there’s going to be the identical story about Robinson,” he insisted.
“Actually I don’t wish to go in that route. Robinson is absolutely centered in the best way he desires to work and behave and let’s hold him as centered as we will.”
Too late, maybe. After all, golf equipment who’re prone to take a punt on Fulham‘s solely outfield ever-present this season will already be effectively conscious of what he can supply.
These qualities can be appreciated inside Liverpool’s recruitment setup, however regardless of Robinson outshining Robertson at Anfield, there may be little probability the Reds will pursue a deal for him.
No, not as a result of he got here via Everton‘s academy – extra for the truth that, come August subsequent yr, Robinson will flip 28 and would, if he joined, be one of many oldest gamers in Slot’s present squad.
Liverpool gamers in Antonee Robinson’s age bracket
Given the rising calls to exchange Robertson, who turns 31 in March, a transfer for the Milton Keynes-born American wouldn’t make enterprise sense to the Anfield hierarchy.
That group, led by Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes, will little doubt be scouring the marketplace for left-backs as a precedence.
There may be mounting proof {that a} participant who Jurgen Klopp warned “can not play each season 50-something video games” as it will “restrict his profession” – solely to then play him in 50-something video games each season – has begun to expertise a decline.
Robertson stays a world-class left-back when match and firing, and it ought to be famous that he was a standout within the 1-0 win over Girona simply 4 days earlier than his shocker towards Fulham, however he can not match that description with such regularity.
His purple card on Saturday was not a one-off, with a torrid night up towards Arsenal‘s Bukayo Saka and penalties conceded in back-to-back video games towards Southampton and Actual Madrid additionally blotting his copybook this season.
And whereas Slot argued that the blow suffered from Issa Diop’s nasty problem earlier within the sport contributed to his sloppy work in bringing down Harry Wilson, there’ll certainly be an acceptance that Robertson is a fading drive.
Changing a soon-to-be 31-year-old with a soon-to-be 28-year-old won’t wash with Fenway Sports activities Group, whatever the ranges to which Antonee Robinson is at present working.
The scenario round Salah’s contract talks solely serves to spotlight how huge an element age is in choices over recruitment and retention.
Extra possible choices may are available Bournemouth‘s Milos Kerkez, 21, Wolves‘ Rayan Ait-Nouri, 23 or Ajax’s Jorrel Hato, 18; gamers with each age on their aspect and expertise below their belt.
As whereas Liverpool are left to ruminate over a participant who, although key, seems to have handed his peak, there is no such thing as a sense focusing on one other who, no matter whether or not or not he simply lit up Anfield, can be reaching his personal quickly sufficient.
