Robertson Fires Back at Liverpool Teammate Following Brutal Arne Slot Confession
Liverpool's left-back Andy Robertson has reinforced his determination to compete with Milos Kerkez for the starting position following the summer signing's challenging beginning at Anfield.
Kerkez's appearance was cut short after only 38 minutes when Arne Slot substituted him during Liverpool's tight 1-0 victory against Burnley on Sunday. The Liverpool manager explained afterward that the left-back was removed to prevent a potential second booking, stating bluntly that he "cannot be completely certain he [Kerkez] won't commit another foul."
Similar to the season opener, Robertson entered as a substitute to take Kerkez's place. In contrast to the dramatic 4-2 triumph over Bournemouth, Liverpool's seasoned defender helped maintain a shutout.
Despite approaching his 32nd birthday next year, Robertson remains eager to maximize his playing time. "I absolutely want to feature in matches and secure the starting left-back role, so I must continue striving to reach the standards I know I'm capable of," the Scottish full-back declared this weekend.
"The international period benefited me greatly as I completed two full 90-minute performances, built up my match sharpness, and achieved two excellent results with Scotland, which boosted my confidence significantly."
While Robertson is directly competing with Kerkez, he remains supportive as a teammate. Following a weekend where many criticized the 21-year-old's uncertain start on Merseyside, the club's vice-captain offered strong backing.
"He [Kerkez] is still very young and I believe we sometimes overlook that," Robertson cautioned. "You attempt to assist them as much as possible while also wanting to challenge them and secure playing opportunities.
"He will become Liverpool's first-choice left-back in time, and it's my responsibility to push him this season while helping him develop. He simply needs to maintain his work ethic and not allow today's events to discourage him, which they won't since he's a self-assured young man, and I'll support him however I can."
Beyond his compassionate nature, Robertson understands Kerkez's difficulties through his own journey. After Hull City's relegation in 2016-17, the inexperienced defender was thrown into the intense pressure of a Liverpool team competing for major trophies. Robertson only started three matches in his first 20 appearances during his inaugural season before eventually proving his worth to Jürgen Klopp.
"It represents a huge step up," he reflected nostalgically. "I arrived from Hull, he's joined from Bournemouth, and the situations are quite comparable. Wearing a Liverpool shirt brings far more scrutiny than at either of those clubs. He [Kerkez] has adapted well.
"There's considerable information to absorb and various tactical approaches to learn, so he must persevere and maintain his self-belief. I'm completely confident that he will develop into an outstanding left-back for Liverpool in the future, and that's what matters most."