Liverpool icon desperate to 'prove people wrong' after criticism

Liverpool left-back Andrew Robertson admits he is desperate to "prove people wrong" after criticism of his recent performances.

The Reds have flown to the top of the Premier League table under new head coach Arne Slot, winning nine of their 11 games to open up a five-point lead over champions Manchester City, and they are also riding high in the Champions League after winning their first four league phase matches.

But, while the club have enjoyed a fruitful start to the season, Robertson, long regarded as one of the Premier League's and world's best left-backs, has faced some individual challenges.

The Scotland international regularly started on the opposite flank to Trent Alexander-Arnold for a number of years, but his place in the side has been threatened by Kostas Tsimikas ever since he picked up a shoulder injury in September 2023.

Robertson was sidelined for three months, allowing Tsimikas time to impress, and some believe that his performance levels are starting to decline - pundit Micah Richards among those to recently claim that he's "lost a yard of pace".

But the 30-year-old, who has featured in all but one of Liverpool's Premier League fixtures this season, is determined to prove his doubters wrong.

"The last couple of games I've been on the bench and I got doubters for the first time in a long time, first time at this club," Robertson told reporters. "But it suits me in this position. I am trying to prove people wrong again.

"I missed pre-season, which is never ideal for any player. And then I have had the ankle struggles. I got another knock on it against Wolves [Wolverhampton Wanderers] and it took a bit of time to settle down. So, look, I feel good. Obviously taking a couple of games out was frustrating. I want to play every game, of course, but that was not possible.

"When I first came in I was only 23, first time playing for a big club. I have been here for seven years and won everything, played in a lot of big games. I am a lot more experienced and a lot better at switching off from everything like overreactions and things like that.

"People can write me off all they want. But I will always try to keep working, keep improving. I have tried to do that and hopefully I have shown that."

Robertson is now away on international duty with Scotland as they prepare to take on Croatia and Poland in the Nations League, before heading back to Liverpool as they take on Southampton ahead of a huge Champions League clash with Real Madrid.

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