Liverpool’s rut continued on Saturday with a 3-2 defeat by Brentford, and defender Andy Robertson comments from the past show how much has changed at Anfield
View 3 ImagesAndy Robertson has summed up Liverpool’s current issues in the past(Image: Getty)
Andy Robertson has already summed up what Arne Slot’s in-turmoil Liverpool are lacking. The Reds have just one win in their last six matches.
Despite starting the season in impeccable form, the reigning Premier Leaguechampions have gone dramatically off the boil. Slot’s side have lost valuable ground in the title race, and their latest 3-2 defeat by Brentford leaves them outside the top four.
Stalwart defender Robertson issued a scathing review of the defeat after the fact, having been substituted on after an hour for new signing Milos Kerkez.Liverpool’s squad has undergone profound change this summer, and a “selfish” admission made by the Scotland international in 2020 could shed light on why.
Five years ago, Liverpool’s front three was renowned for its excellence. Salah was undoubtedly the star but he shared the limelight with Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino. It was this strike force that fired the Reds to a league title under Jurgen Klopp during the 2019/20 season.
Salah bagged countless goals during this period but not all were complimentary of him. Many branded him selfish and Robertson issued a response to what he believed was some unfair criticism.
He told the ECHO: “The relationship [between the front players] off the pitch is really strong, and on the pitch, the link-up play and everything is always good.
View 3 ImagesRobertson thought that criticism of Salah was not warranted(Image: Getty)
“But these players are also paid to be selfish and we need them to score goals and take risks in the final third. When they are in front of goal, we expect them to shoot and score.
“There have been certain occasions where people say Bobby [Firmino] could have passed, Sadio could have passed, or Mo could have passed, but these guys are paid money to make split-second decisions and score goals for us.
“Their relationship is really strong just like every other relationship in the squad and that is why over the last couple of years we have been quite successful. You get nowhere without these relationships.”
It could be then that this current Liverpool side does not possess such adhesion. Against Brentford for example, Liverpool’s attack consisted of two new signings. Hugo Ekitike, who arrived this summer from Frankfurt, sat up top with another new arrival, Florian Wirtz, in behind. Cody Gakpo started out left, though he has only been at the club since 2023. Salah manned the right.
View 3 ImagesLiverpool’s attack has gelled together in the past(Image: Getty)
Off the bench, youngster Rio Ngumoha, another 2025 recruit, and Federico Chisea, signed last year, also made an appearance. Alexander Isak is currently sidelined but he too will feature in attack when fit and was signed over the summer.
Robertson admitted that without chemistry up front, there will be issues, and this might be precisely what is causing the Reds’ problems. Their defence and midfield have also undergone rapid change.
Where Salah, Mane and Firmino gelled brilliantly as an attacking trio, Slot’s team have not yet had time to build up such camaraderie. Liverpool’s attacking players used to know where each other stood but that is not yet possible with all the new faces.
Things won’t get any easier for the Reds. They face Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup next before hosting Aston Villa in the league. Real Madrid then visit Anfieldbefore a trip to the Etihad and fellow title hopefuls Manchester City.
Robertson will be hoping that by the time these tough tests roll around, Liverpool’s forwards have learned where each other stand and have built the same selfish bridges that once fired them to silverware.