NICE ONE MY ROBERTSON
Andy grabs crucial goal after gaffe
ANDY ROBERTSON needed just nine minutes to turn a clanger into a canter as Liverpool delivered a message of intent to their title rivals.
The left-back gifted an Arsenal side featuring Scotland pal Kieran Tierney a 25th-minute opener when slicing a clearance into the path of Alexandre Lacazette.
But Jurgen Klopp’s side were level inside 147 seconds thanks to Sadio Mane before Robertson grabbed his first goal this season.
Diogo Jota, making his Anfield debut off the bench, made it an introduction to remember to confirm the victory – and the Reds’ superiority – with a fine finish late on after a David Luiz gaffe.
Scotland captain Robertson said: “It was a fantastic counterpressing game from us. We all reacted when we lost the ball.
“We put them under pressure and forced them into mistakes. With the ball we showed quality.
“We can’t have too many complaints, other than my assist at the wrong end – 99 times out of 100 I clear that.
“The lads dug me out of a hole. A couple of years ago I’d have let that get to my performance.
“We showed a positive reaction. They’ve got a fast frontline, which you need to be wary of.
“We dealt with them well and caught them offside a few times.
“We could have had a couple more. We’ll take the 3-1. It’s nice to beat your rivals and make it three wins from three.”
Although that seemed far off 25 minutes in. Ainsley MaitlandNiles’ cross from the left was poor, offering Robertson the simple task of clearing.
A horrible miscue over his own shoulders later and Lacazette found himself played onside.
Even then, he spooned the shot spectacularly but somehow the ball arched comically over Alissonn as he clawed the air manically.
At least that roused Liverpool,, with Mo Salah firing off a shott that Bernd Leno could only parry into Mane’s path.
Robertson then atoned for his earlier mistake in 34 minutes when he fed Trent AlexanderArnold on the right to deliver a perfectly flighted cross into his path to prod home. Two minutes from time Jota seized a weak Luiz header to fire home.
Klopp dubbed the display “exceptional” after taking issue with Roy Keane using the word “sloppy” in reference to one or two occasions at the back.
The Anfield boss overheard Keane giving his assessment in the Sky Sports studio as he waited to be interviewed pitchside.
The German said: “Maybe he spoke about another game. It cannot be this game, sorry. That’s an incredible description of this game. This was absolutely exceptional. Nothing was sloppy.”