Having bolstered their attacking options with the signings of Mohamed Salah and Dominic Solanke, Liverpool moved to strengthen their defence with the capture of Hull City left-back Andrew Robertson.
The 23-year-old joins for an undisclosed fee, which could reportedly rise to £10 million, and has signed a long-term contract at Anfield.
Speaking to the club’s official website, Reds boss Jurgen Klopp expressed his delight over the options he now has available to him at left-back:
“This addition gives us fantastic competition in the left full-back position now. Obviously, James Milner did very well for us last season there and can play most positions on the football pitch. Alberto Moreno looks really good in pre-season, and we have Jon Flanagan back, who can play left or right full-back. This signing strengthens us at full-back, and I’m really pleased about this.”
The History
Born in Glasgow, Robertson started his youth career at Celtic, before joining Queen’s Park after being released by the Scottish giants.
Robertson broke into the first-team at Queen’s Park during the 2012/13 season, and made 34 league appearances, registering two goals and three assists, before moving to Scottish Premiership side Dundee United in June 2013.
He enjoyed another successful campaign, producing three goals and six assists in 36 matches, with his performances catching the eye of Premier League side Hull City.
The Tigers paid £2.85 million for the left-sided player in July 2014, but while he featured regularly in the top flight – claiming two assists in 24 outings – the Tigers suffered relegation to the Championship.
Robertson stayed at the KCOM Stadium, though, and was a crucial member of the side that earned promotion back to the Premier League, registering three goals and five assists in 45 appearances.
Although Robertson was again a consistent performer last season, producing one goal and two assists over 33 matches, he suffered a second relegation.
After featuring four times for Scotland U21s, Robertson made his senior debut against Poland in March 2014.
He has made 15 appearances for his country, with his only goal coming in the 3-1 defeat to England in November 2014.
The Prospects
While James Milner filled in admirably at left-back last season, the fact that Liverpool will be stretched this season should they qualify for the UEFA Champions League group stages meant that there was a need to strengthen.
Alberto Moreno has struggled to make an impression since moving to Anfield, so Robertson looks set to battle it out with Milner for the starting role.
While Robertson has played some matches on the left side of midfield, and as a wing-back, he is a natural left-back.
The 23-year-old is strong technically, with the ability to combine effectively with team-mates down the flank, while he also has the stamina required of a modern day full-back.
His crossing is admired, and he possesses the dribbling ability to offer a real attacking threat.
Indeed, the major advantage he has over Milner is the fact that he is left-footed, offering greater balance to the side, with the former England international always having to cut back inside on his right foot, allowing less space for his team-mates.
Although Robertson is an accomplished defender, with strong positional sense, he will probably need to improve that side of his game to become the first-choice at Anfield.
However, that is unlikely to phase the new signing, who seems determined to take his opportunity to push for a first-team role.
“I want to be a starting XI player at Liverpool. I don’t want to come here and think I’ll just be happy on the bench or I’ll just be happy being in a 25-man squad. That’s not the type of person I am, I want to play. I know it’s going to be hard work, the hardest work I’ve ever done, but I’m up for the challenge, and it’s hopefully one I can succeed in.”
Comparing Robertson’s underlying statistics to Milner’s last season, the Scot only averaged a key pass every 144.05 minutes, far inferior to Milner (56.43).
Milner also offered far more of a goal threat, producing a shot every 87.78 minutes, far better than Robertson (391).
While you’d expect Milner’s numbers to be more impressive given he played in a far more successful side, and benefits from taking penalties, the data, particularly in terms of goal attempts, suggests that Robertson is unlikely to threaten goals.
In terms of the defensive statistics, Robertson registered a clearance, block or interception (CBI) every 18.88 minutes, marginally superior to Milner (21.07).
Perhaps more significantly, Robertston lost just 23 challenges – events which measure how often he was beaten one-on-one – averaging one every 118 minutes.
In contrast, Milner failed with 49 challenges and, although he played more often, he lost one every 64.4 minutes. To put that into perspective, Clyne lost just 23 challenges at right-back – one every 144 minutes.
There’s a perception that Milner’s versatility wasn’t exposed too often, but those statistics make it clear that he was targeted by opponents on occasions. Robertson could again prove stronger in this area, and that could eventually sway Klopp’s thinking.
Having been re-classified as a defender for 2017/18, Milner – who is available at 6.5 – has emerged as one of the leading premium options.
He’s currently sat in over 10% of FPL squads, with the combination of spot-kick duties and defensive returns a tantalising prospect.
But Robertson’s arrival certainly makes rotation far more likely, something Klopp has already stated will be prevalent this season.
Nathaniel Clyne, Dejan Lovren and Joel Matip all come in at 5.5 in FPL, though Robertson has arrived in FPL for 5.0. That certainly opens him up as an option should he show signs of ousting Milner over a sustained spell.
Liverpool’s opening fixtures (wat CRY ARS mci BUR lei) are mixed, though, so Reds defenders aren’t expected to be seen as a priority.
Last season, Klopp’s side kept 12 clean sheets, although they did rank joint-ninth for big chances conceded (58).
Premium assets from Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United may be in more demand, then, with the latter pair presenting more favourable early schedules.
The addition of Robertson could well mean that we are now forced to look to the likes of Clyne and Matip when considering the Liverpool defence, with that duo looking more secure starters.
In saying that, there’s also a possibility that Milner could occasionally alternate with Clyne on the right if Klopp wants to limit his tinkering.
Milner picked up a thigh injury in today’s Asia Trophy clash with Leicester but, if fit, he remains the favourite to start the season. However, the prospect of owning a 6.5-priced defender who could be prone to rotation undoubtedly dents his appeal.
Pre-season matches will hopefully provide some insight as to how much faith Klopp has in Robertson, and if he impresses, it could have serious repercussions as to how Milner is viewed.
Ultimately, unless we’re afforded clarity from Klopp’s summer teamsheets, the uncertainty caused by Robertson’s arrival now forces a reassessment of the pecking order in Liverpool’s backline.
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