Robertson looking forward to showdown with Messi

LIVERPOOL’s Andy Robertson might be too busy playing with his kids to watch title rivals Manchester City play at Burnley today.

Robertson, who has two children under the age of two, says he isn’t superstitious and will watch the game if timings work out, but insists it’s not top of his Sunday to-do list.

‘I saw the Manchester derby on Wednesday and if I’m free, I will watch on Sunday — whether I do or not, it’s not going to make any difference to the result.

‘But I am not going to go out of my way to watch the game and if I’m doing something with the kids, I’ll do that. We need City to drop points because we are at the stage of the season where if they win all their games, they win the league. They have tough games, and so do we.

‘We need to get maximum points and hopefully that is enough. If not, we have to pick ourselves up.’

Liverpool’s 5-0 win against Huddersfield on Friday was their 10th Premier League victory in a row. They are on course for 97 points and haven’t lost at Anfield for 39 games — yet City remain favourites to retain the championship.

Robertson was one of four Liverpool player to be named in the PFA Team of the Year, the first Scot to achieve the honour since Darren Fletcher in 2010. His record of 10 assists in a season has only ever been bettered twice by a full-back.

‘It’s a massive achievement and nice to be appreciated by my peers for the season I’ve had. But I’d swap it for any of the trophies we are fighting for.’

Liverpool face a Champions League semifinal first leg against Barcelona at the Nou Camp on Tuesday night, where Robertson is likely to come into direct competition with the world’s best player, Lionel Messi.

Six weeks ago, there were suggestions Jurgen Klopp should sacrifice Europe to concentrate on winning Liverpool’s first Premier League title since 1990. Klopp ignored the advice and Liverpool beat Bayern Munich 3-1 in Germany. Now the Champions League could provide solace if they narrowly miss out at home.

‘If the Champions League is an alternative source then we’re doing well!’ Robertson says. ‘We were never going to throw games. We want to win every competition we are in.

‘I went to the Nou Camp on a family holiday when I was six or seven, but this will be a bit different. Messi showed against Manchester United why he is the best player in the world. It’s an iconic stadium to play in.

‘I’m sure we’ll take in the surroundings afterwards, but before that we’ll be focused on the match and just look forward to it.’