ReactionAndy Robertson: We wanted to put things right at Old Trafford
Andy Robertson detailed Liverpool’s ‘put it right’ mindset in Sunday’s Premier League victory away at Manchester United.
The Reds twice suffered disappointments at Old Trafford earlier in 2024, with a 4-3 Emirates FA Cup defeat followed by a 2-2 draw in the league that hindered their title challenge.
There was no such frustration this time, however, with Arne Slot’s side extending their perfect start to the new campaign with a 3-0 win over their fierce rivals.
Luis Diaz’s double before the break gave Liverpool a platform on which they built during the second half, Mohamed Salah clinically adding the third goal.
Post-match, Robertson – who brought up the personal milestone of 300 club appearances on the day – spoke to Liverpoolfc.com about the game and how there was extra motivation within the squad.
Read the chat below…
On his thoughts about a great win…
From minute one I thought we were right up for the challenge. You could see it, they started well but we didn’t panic. I thought we controlled the game, we defended really well and the whole team, the strikers really helped the back line out, then obviously we were clinical going forward. So, I think it was just an all-round good team performance, I think everyone – we were talking about it before the game and we did. Always when you come here, keep a clean sheet and get such a convincing win it’s always pleasing.
On responding well after a disallowed goal for Trent Alexander-Arnold early on…
I think it did more for us than it did for them even though it got disallowed. I think we just thought, OK, this is it, we’ve got them kind of where we kind of want them, we know how to break them down now and it’s up to us to go and do it again. Quite quickly after it we did, obviously the goal stood and kind of after that we just controlled the game and we forced them into mistakes.
Obviously there is a big crowd, a lot of expectations and they started getting frustrated and that’s exactly where we wanted them and then we just started playing our football, hurting them in ways we believed we could and we were clinical in front of goal, which made for a pleasing afternoon.
On the incredible work-rate of the team that stood out…
Look, since minute one the head coach has come in and said that’s what he wants from all of us, not just the back line, it’s about the wingers, the strikers and the midfielders working hard, it’s about the subs when they come on working hard, and that’s what will get you game time. Mo and Lucho, a lot will be spoken about their goals and assists today but their work-rate was second to none and they worked so hard for the team.
I think that’s where it started and the whole team followed suit. We were then aggressive with the press and aggressive in our duels and that means when we come out on top we have the ball, and we know we’ve got the players that can hurt any team with the ball and we showed that today. Really pleasing, everything we spoke about during the week and spoke about this morning to go and hurt this team, I think we did and that’s why we have ended up with this result we have got.
On whether there was added determination after the two games at Old Trafford last season…
To an extent. I think we were really frustrated here last season because I thought in the two games that we played we dominated the games and we didn’t end up with the results we wanted, especially in the FA Cup because I thought we were in complete control and threw it away. From that point of view we were extremely frustrated by those two performances, so when you come here again you want to put that right and you don’t want to be feeling the same in the changing room after the game.
It was certainly a different changing room today and we are just delighted. Before the international break I think it’s crucial kind of to get the three points and set us all on our way happy and excited, and it’s done that. Hopefully everyone can come back fit and fighting fit and obviously after the internationals it’s a really intense period of time and if we keep going the way we are going we will get some good results along the way.
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