Liverpool defender Andy Robertson managed to get through the full 90 minutes at Selhurst Park on Saturday, as well as assisting Sadio Mane for Liverpool’s first goal in the 2-1 victory.
The Scottish left back was considered a major doubt for the trip down South, but deemed himself fit enough to start in the reds’ line-up.
“It is still painful but, you know, it is something that I gave time for it to improve,” Robertson said, following Saturday’s game.
“Keeping it moving will help it. Hopefully in time it will be better. I was desperate to play and the gaffer asked me if I was OK. I believed I was and luckily I got through the game.”
“Sometimes you need to be a bit clever. I have come through, Mo was not needed although he was stripped when Bobby scored and sat back down.
“Hopefully that will give him more time to settle and hopefully he will be fine for midweek.”
Despite the impact from the Scottish Captain, Jurgen’s Klopp’s men once again conceded, making it 10 games without a shutout between the sticks. The last time Liverpool kept a clean sheet was in the 1-0 win away to Chris Wilder’s Sheffield United. back in October.
Speaking about the defensive frailties, Robertson said: “The defence, Alisson and Adrian, want to keep more clean sheets, of course we do, and Palace would have been a good one to get.
“Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be, but if we don’t keep clean sheets we need to be winning. We want to get back to clean sheets and hopefully we can do that in our next game,” Robertson said, speaking to This Is Anfield.
“Hopefully we can do that and still score goals. Last season we had a better defensive record but did not have as many points, so we need to put it into perspective.
“Scoring late is good and enjoyable but we would much rather be 2-0 or 3-0 up and see out the game. We cannot keep relying on it, but it is good we have that mentality and we didn’t panic because we’ve been in this position so many times.
Robertson has been in fine form so far this season, making 19 appearances in all competitions, scoring twice and assisting five more.
[Image from Анна Джалалян under Creative Commons]
