Liverpool must be ‘perfect’
Robertson believes Reds have to be flawless to stay in the title race
LIVERPOOL cannot afford any more slipups if they are to keep their title hopes alive, defender Andy Robertson said yesterday after Sunday’s 1-0 Premier League home defeat by Crystal Palace. Eberechi Eze scored the only goal of the game in the 14th minute to leave Jurgen Klopp’s side third on 71 points, level with second-placed Arsenal, who were stunned 2-0 at home by Aston Villa. Manchester City lead on 73 points with six games left.
Liverpool, who were held 2-2 by Manchester United in their previous League game, also face an uphill task in the Europa League after losing the first leg of their quarterfinal against Atalanta 3-0 at home.
“It’s hugely frustrating to be in the position we’re in now, being third and relying on two teams dropping points,” Robertson told reporters.
“This time last week, we shouldn’t have been in that position. That’s where the frustration comes from. But that’s where we are, it is what it is. We need to be perfect from here on in, for sure.
“We can’t drop any more points and let’s see what the other two teams (Manchester City and Arsenal) do. We have to stay positive. We don’t stop fighting.
“We have to pick everyone up in the changing room because there’s a lot of people who are down, whether they missed a chance, gave the ball away or whatever it is. We pick up, we go again on Thursday and we give everything we’ve got.”
Liverpool next travel to face Atalanta on Thursday (Friday 3am Malaysian time) before returning to League action with successive away games at Fulham, Everton and West Ham.
“We have to stay positive,” added left-back Robertson, who produced a superb goal-line clearance to prevent Liverpool falling 2-0 behind soon after Eze’s opener.
Palace’s victory – only their second under new manager Oliver Glasner – eased their fears of getting dragged into the relegation battle.
The Eagles, in 14th, now have an eight-point cushion over 18th-placed Luton and have a game in hand over most of the teams below them.
Glasner said: “I don’t look at the table every day because I know we will get our points when we perform well.
“I am really concentrating on our performance, what we have to improve, what are the strengths of our players and how can we combine them to be compact in defence and create chances in offence.
“I know if we perform well we will get enough points to stay in the league. Our full focus is on that.” – The Independent