I’ve never got a big result at Old Trafford but that is gonna change
Robertson is aiming to rule the Reds with overdue triumph
ANDY ROBERTSON is braced for a Manchester United backlash as he looks to help end Liverpool’s near six-year wait for a win at the home of their fiercest rivals. The Scotland skipper is counting down to Sunday’s trip along the M62 as Jurgen Klopp’s European champions look to continue their perfect start to the Premier League campaign. In contrast, their bitter north west rivals have suffered their worst start to a season for 30 years after losing to Newcastle last time out, leaving boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer under huge pressure. But Robertson knows the fact his Reds side are eight points clear at the summit, while United are just two points clear of the relegation zone, will count for nothing come kick off time. The 25-year-old has lost 2-1 and drawn 0-0 on his two visits to Old Trafford since moving to Merseyside from Hull. And you have to go back to March 2014 to find Liverpool’s last victory there, when Rangers boss Steven Gerrard scored twice and Luis Suarez was on target in a 3-1 win. But the fixture remains one of the greatest rivalries in English football and Robertson says United’s dismal form doesn’t change anything as Liverpool continue their pursuit of a first title in 30 years. He said: “I’m sure they will be firing and wanting to kickstart their season. For them, there would be no better time to do it than against us.
“I don’t think it matters what your form is like in these games. It doesn’t matter that we’ve won eight on the bounce and they’re struggling.
“It’s Man United v Liverpool. It says everything it needs to say for itself. It will be a one-off game and we’ll see who comes out on top.
“I have no doubt they’ll produce a reaction after a poor performance against Newcastle but we have our own objectives and aims so that’s what we’ve got to be striving for.
“It’s a proper game and sometimes it gets played like a cup tie. These matches are good. But they’re only good if you come out on top.
“Hopefully we’re the ones celebrating on Sunday night.
“Old Trafford is good to play in, a historic stadium. It’s nice but I prefer Anfield!
“The atmosphere is good too. There’s always an edge.
“What makes the fixture so special is that it’s historic. There have been such great battles down the years.
“And they’ve always had top teams who have always fought against each other for everything on the pitch.
“It’s always like that. And it’s a different atmosphere when you play against United.
“It’s one game we always look forward to.
“Since I’ve been a Liverpool player, we’ve not managed to get a result at Old Trafford. So hopefully that changes on Sunday.” There will be a little subplot to Sunday’s clash with Robertson going up against Scotland team-mate Scott McTominay just a week after teaming up to help hammer San Marino 6-0 at Hampden.
McTominay has been one of the few to emerge with credit from United’s woeful start to the campaign and Robertson is a big admirer of the 22-year-old midfielder.
The former Dundee United defender said: “There was a wee bit of banter with Scott McTominay during the Scotland duty, just a wee bit! Not much, honest.
“Scotty was fantastic for us against San Marino. And he has been excellent all season in a United side that’s had its critics.
“He has carried himself very well. I’ll be looking forward to facing him on Sunday.
“Obviously I hope to come out on top.
“There have also been a lot of Scottish players and managers who have contributed down the years to both clubs.
“We obviously have that connection and it’s good that me and Scotty can sort of fly the flag down there.
“It’s fine when we all get back to our clubs after an international break. But everyone is just so focused on what we’re trying to do with Liverpool, it’s not as if we have time to talk about how we all got on with our national teams.
“As a team, we’re very driven to succeed. We were successful last season – and hopefully we’ll be even more successful this season.
“So everything that has happened with our countries is forgotten about when we get back to training.
“Maybe we chat among ourselves before we break up for international duty. But not after it because we’re so focused. “That’s especially true this week because we’ve got Manchester United away.”