Liverpool playmaker has outdone Eden Hazard and only Kevin De Bruyne comes close for Jurgen Klopp
Despite a great team performance by Liverpool against Manchester United, it’s possible to miss out on a particular excellent display that deserves more recognition than it has received.
All Liverpool players performed exceptionally well throughout the match, dominating the first half, despite Gary Neville’s disagreement, making it challenging to pick a standout player. However, left-back Andy Robertson could arguably be considered as the best player on the day for Jürgen Klopp’s side, among many other potential Man of the Match candidates.
Robertson stood out for his outstanding performance on the pitch, creating more chances than anyone else, defending tenaciously when needed, and recovering seven balls over the 90 minutes.
He demonstrated an exceptional and relentless work rate, and even Manchester United’s expensive winger, Antony, who was bought for $107m (£86m/€100m) from Ajax last summer, could not get a decent shot on goal.
Not only did Robertson excel defensively, but he also played a key role in creating the opening goal with an impressive pass that even elite playmakers like Trent Alexander-Arnold or Kevin De Bruyne would be proud of.
Even though Cody Gakpo still had a lot to do, Robertson’s pass was enough to confuse Fred and eliminate the Manchester United midfielder from the play.
Robertson’s performance at his peak is just as unrelenting as Klopp’s Liverpool as a team, and they continued to press and dominate their opponents in the second half, building on the intensity they had created.
However, the most crucial moment was the opening goal, which set the tone for the rest of the game and ultimately led to Manchester United’s humiliating defeat.
Robertson’s assist for Gakpo in the game elevated his position in the Premier League assist charts, surpassing the likes of Eden Hazard, Juan Mata, and Mesut Özil. He now has a total of 55 assists, which is already more than any other defender has ever achieved in the league.
Although Trent Alexander-Arnold is currently behind Robertson in the Premier League assist charts with 45 assists, he is expected to overtake him eventually. Nevertheless, Robertson is currently considered the assist king at Liverpool, having achieved the same number of assists as Paul Scholes and Riyad Mahrez.
This season, only Kevin De Bruyne has recorded more assists than Robertson.
“You have to enjoy these moments,” Robertson said to Liverpool’s official website.
“We play football and we work hard every week for moments like this. In the Premier League, you don’t often get games like this — it’s usually really tight and you have to push the whole way.
“We kept pushing but just with a wee bit of a spring in our step.”
Robertson played a pivotal role in setting Liverpool on the path to victory by delivering a flawless pass to Gakpo, who then ignited the team’s momentum. This moment could be viewed in retrospect as a significant turning point and even the beginning of a new era for Klopp’s Liverpool.
Liverpool playmaker has outdone Eden Hazard and only Kevin De Bruyne comes close for Jurgen Klopp
