Robertson’s mind is concentrated solely on Cardiff
IT says everything about the scale of what is at stake for Liverpool, and how delicately all their hopes of immortality dangle in the balance, that a meeting with a Cardiff City team managed by Neil Warnock can share equal stature with taking on Lionel Messi and Barcelona for a place in the Champions League final.
‘They are both as big as each other,’ is the view of Liverpool full-back Andy Robertson. ‘Barcelona is far in the future. We cannot think about that. We are still going for a league title. We are fighting with Man City. Every game is as big as the next one.’
To take one game at a time is a phrase so frequently recited from the footballer’s book of clichés that there is a crease down the spine and its worn pages have long
curled up at the corners. With Robertson, you could tell he meant it.
For Liverpool right now, it could not be more true. There is no let-up. Each win alone is not sufficient to bring glory to Anfield, yet a single defeat could see it all unravel in a heartbeat.
Manchester City’s victory over Tottenham yesterday, some semblance of revenge for their dramatic Champions League exit, sent Pep Guardiola’s side back to the top of the table by a point.
It is the eighth time the lead has changed hands since March 10. One side always playing after the other. Each time winning, each time retuning to the summit.
Neither letting up, each refusing to leave the door even a fraction ajar for the other to force their way in and claim it all. Robertson admitted that the Liverpool players would watch their rivals in action yesterday. Jurgen Klopp’s side have not hidden away from the ferocity of battle so far, so why not start now.
‘It has no bearing on us,’ said Robertson. ‘We know it is out of our control. All we can do is impact our own games, so it makes no difference if we watch it or not.’
Now it’s Liverpool’s move, again. They know what they need to do. They need to win.
Cardiff have lost all 10 of their games against the top six this term. They have not beaten Liverpool since 1969, in Bill Shankly’s first game in charge. Warnock had not long turned 11 years old. Robertson is not ready to leave Liverpool’s fate in history’s hands.
‘Cardiff had a magnificent result against Brighton,’ he said. ‘Warnock will have them up for it, all the players are fighting for their lives and they want to stay in this league. It will be a massive game. Hopefully, we can do enough.’
With Cardiff the pressing matter at hand, at least Robertson does not have to bother himself with the prospect of dealing with Messi for a little longer.
‘I won’t lose sleep just yet,’ he said. ‘I will think about that another day!’