Robertson: second is as good as last
ANDREW RobERtsoN gave a candid insight into the impact of losing the Champions League final as he described a scene of total devastation in Liverpool’s dressing room.
the scotland defender left Kiev’s olympic stadium with his reputation enhanced, his courageous performance epitomised by a superb tackle on Cristiano Ronaldo in the penalty area to deny the Real superstar a certain goal.
Robertson, however, had no interest in taking solace from personal compliments. He had his runners-up medal stuffed in his washbag and could not answer if — or when — he will take it out to have a look.
‘It was an achievement to get here but second is as good as last in my book,’ said Robertson. ‘I’d rather have had a stinker and we won. I’d rather 10 players turned up and I didn’t but we went home with the trophy. that’s just the type of person that I am.’
Frustration was leaping out of Robertson as he went through the painful process of examining why Liverpool, in his words, had fallen ‘one step too short’. there was no hint of blame apportioned to goalkeeper Loris Karius, just recognition that Madrid were ‘probably deserved winners’.
‘there was just devastation in the changing room,’ said Robertson. ‘We are all so upset. We have been on a good journey but we have just fallen short. believe me, the lads are gutted. It was a 50-50 chance and we never took it.
‘We had a chance to be heroes, to make our own history but it wasn’t meant to be. We will try to use this as motivation for next season. but it will be a long summer.
‘Not one player should look back on the season with disappointment. How many records has Mo salah broken?
‘but he will probably look back on it as a disappointment because that’s what happens when you get to finals and lose.’
there will be more reason for salah to look back in anger, given the consequences of his 26thminute skirmish that has put his hopes of playing at the World Cup in the balance. Robertson would not criticise sergio Ramos for the crude manner he wrestled salah to the floor but recognised the significance of the moment.
‘I think the impact would have been the same if it was any of us (who got injured),’ said Robertson. ‘It could have been any of us. It just disrupted our rhythm a wee bit.’
How Liverpool respond to this experience will form a part of next season’s early narrative, as there is no doubt that losing another final — their third such defeat under Jurgen Klopp and the fourth since they were League Cup winners in February 2012 — will leave scars.
the chances to make an impact at this level are limited, but captain Jordan Henderson is adamant that they will make a breakthrough under Klopp.
‘I believe in this team,’ he said. ‘I believe in this manager.
‘I believe we are going in the right direction. It is so difficult to stand here now and say that but that is the truth. It is how I feel. We have to make it happen. I believe we will be back.’