Liverpool boss Arne Slot. (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)placeholder image
Liverpool boss Arne Slot. (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images) | AFP via Getty Images
Arne Slot has spoken about Andy Robertson’s return to the Liverpool team ahead of the clash against Man City.
Arne Slot has cast doubt on Andy Robertson starting for Liverpool against Manchester City.
The left-back has worked his way back into the Reds’ starting line-up, having previously lost his berth to £40 million summer signing Milos Kerkez.
Robertson, appointed Liverpool’s vice-captain after Trent Alexander-Arnold’s exit to Real Madrid, has featured from the outset in the 2-0 victory over Aston Villa and a 1-0 triumph over Real Madrid earlier this week. The Scotland international has added much-needed experience following four successive Premier League defeats, having won eight major trophies since joining Liverpool in 2017.
However, Robertson was substituted in the closing stages of the Real triumph as Slot felt that he looked ‘tired’. The 31-year-old also played in the 3-0 Carabao Cup defeat by Crystal Palace.
Liverpool now turn their attention to a clash against Manchester City. Both sides are trailing in this season’s title race, with the Reds seven points behind leaders Arsenal and City six adrift. But Slot has admitted he will have to check on Robertson’s condition as to whether he can continue to feature.
What’s been said
"He started three games in seven days as he also started against Crystal Palace,” said Reds head coach Slot at his pre-match press conference. “I felt he was tired, so I had to take him out at the end of the game [against Real Madrid]. But we have to wait and see how the recovery goes. Let's see where he is today.
“He has done really well in the last three games because he has played three games in seven days, although I took him off at 60-65 minutes against Palace. I was very pleased to see he was able to play almost 90 in his last game because it’s hard for players to play three games in seven days. He has done well because he’s played three as the team did. It's so helpful for every individual if the team play at its best and that is what we have done in the past two games. He's been calm on the ball and done a job defensively. Happy with his two, maybe three, performances although Palace wasn’t the best game of the season.”
Despite turning 32 later this season, Slot believes that Robertson’s age means little. He added: "Over 30 doesn't tell me anything about the player. If you look at Virgil van Dijk or Mo and Robbo was above last season and all three of them were able to win the Premier League and played a big part in it last season.
“If a 24-year-old doesn’t play as well, no-one talks about age. That is how things work in this industry but 32 is not old for a football player, in my opinion."
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