Robertson: It’s been an unbelievable journey
Andy Robertson reflected on the 'unbelievable' personal journey he has undertaken after helping Liverpool secure a place in the Champions League final on an unforgettable evening in Rome.
Signed from relegated Hull City in July, the Scot endured a slow start to his Anfield career, with Alberto Moreno's strong form in the early months of the season limiting his opportunities.
However, an injury to Moreno in December provided Robertson with a chance to stake his claim, and the left-back has since emerged as a key man in the Reds' European run this term.
The 24-year-old impressed again last night as Jürgen Klopp's team booked a Kiev date with Real Madrid, completing a 7-6 aggregate semi-final victory over AS Roma at the Stadio Olimpico.
That Robertson was playing for amateur Scottish outfit Queen's Park just less than five years ago only adds to the romance of his story, but he is already keen to write the next chapter by going on to lift the trophy.
He told Liverpoolfc.com: "It’s been an unbelievable journey from the start to now.
"When I signed here, I dreamed of these nights and I took my time to find my feet but I’m here now - what a night tonight and the first leg was unbelievable.
"We’ve got a few big games coming up but now we’ve got to look forward to Kiev and hopefully I can play a big part in it."
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Liverpool were made to sweat on their final berth as a spirited Roma almost produced an unlikely comeback, winning 4-2 on the night.
Robertson ruminated on the difficulties of keeping out a team who felt they had nothing to lose, and expressed delight at getting over the line for the supporters.
"We were up against it and at times [when] they went four or five up top, especially when you’ve got someone like [Edin] Dzeko up top who is so physically strong and can win flick-ons," he added.
"It’s hard to defend against, and it’s so dangerous playing against a team who have got nothing to lose.
"They knew it was win or bust and they had to push and push and we were trying to hang on and it’s very hard to do so, but luckily we’ve managed to see it through and to hear the final whistle - what a feeling for all of us.
"We were brave, especially at home, taking the game to them the way we did.
"We were unfortunate to lose the two goals and make it a contest really, but we knew we had to come over here and do our job and we managed to do that.
"We got two goals and we knew they had to score five and we were always comfortable they weren’t going to do that, so what an achievement for all the lads and the fans deserve it. We will all enjoy a day in Kiev."
The Reds' opponents in Kiev, Real Madrid, will be contesting their fourth Champions League final in five years, with the last three of those coming consecutively.
The Spanish side team clinched the trophy on each previous occasion they have reached the showpiece, but Robertson believes he and his teammates can pull off a surprise victory.
"It’s a two-horse race now, out of so many teams that entered the Champions League we’ve narrowed it down to two," he continued.
"Of course we will be underdogs and Real Madrid have dominated this tournament the last couple of years but sometimes the underdogs are very dangerous and we’ll back ourselves and hopefully come that final whistle we will have our hands on the trophy."