Liverpool manager Arne Slot has expressed his admiration for Andrew Robertson this morning, following the announcement on Thursday that the fullback will depart at the end of the season.
In the lead-up to Saturday’s clash with Fulham at Anfield, Slot was queried about the Scottish international’s statement from the previous day.
He remarked, “He has enjoyed numerous wonderful seasons here as a player, but I believe people have come to appreciate him as an exceptional human being as well. I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know him, and every teammate can attest to his humour and character, which has also been evident on social media.”
“What stands out most to me is the intensity with which he always plays. We learned a thing or two about intensity just two days ago, but I remember showing the players I was working with a clip of Robbo pressing from left full-back to right-back a few years back.”
“He has achieved everything possible here and has a genuine love for this club—his nine years here have been remarkable. However, this season he hasn’t featured as regularly as in the past, which has led to his departure. It can be tough to remain in that position for longer than a season, as every player desires as much first-team action as possible.”
Backing from the board
Meanwhile, Slot was also asked about his own position following another challenging week for the defending Premier League champions.
A loss in the FA Cup to Manchester City was succeeded by another setback in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final against PSG.
When questioned on whether he felt supported by the club’s ownership, the Dutch manager stated: “I’ve mentioned numerous times that I feel a great deal of support from the owners and from Richard (Hughes, sporting director) and Michael (Edwards, technical director). As strange as it might sound, I also feel the backing of the fans.”
“While we took a stroll around Paris before the match, even after losing 4-0 to City, the fans who spotted us began singing ‘We love you, Liverpool’. Despite being outclassed for 90 minutes, they continued to uplift us from the away end. We have felt that support consistently.
“The club understands the phase we’re in, and in the meantime, I have their full backing.”
On the recent series of setbacks, Slot added: “We haven’t done ourselves any favours with our current situation. Paris kept us in the tie, so we still have a chance. There are seven significant games on the horizon in the Premier League, and hopefully, we’ll have some more in the Champions League.”
The challenge from Fulham
Liverpool will face Fulham, who are positioned fifth in the table, trailing the top four by five points. As they head into this fixture, Slot has noted a certain level of confidence among his squad following what he witnessed during the loss at the Parc des Princes.
He continued: “If there’s anything positive from our experience with PSG, it’s that we squared up against the reigning champions of Europe, and although we weren’t at our best that night, in just a few days we can prove we’re much more competitive.”
“However, that also indicates that if we want to keep advancing, we must play at that level in the Champions League.”
“We aim to be part of it again next season to demonstrate that we can excel further in the competition, and to achieve that, we need to improve in the league. Not all of our players are equipped to handle another intense game in a few days, so let’s see what the line-up reveals.”
Further commenting on the threats posed by Fulham, Slot praised his counterpart Marco Silva.
He noted: “They have a manager who has been with them for a long time, and it’s evident they possess a clear structure and identity in how they want to play, primarily with many of the same players I’ve seen since my arrival.”
“We faced them at home last season, when we received a red card, and it was arguably one of our best performances that year. We were down a goal twice during that match. This season’s game perhaps encapsulates our overall campaign. It’s astonishing that we didn’t secure a win when you consider how late we scored – how often do you find yourself scoring in the 94th minute only to come away without the victory?”
Isak’s comeback
An uplifting note from the defeat against PSG was Alexander Isak’s return as a substitute in the second half. This marked the Swede’s first appearance since suffering a leg fracture in December.
Slot reflected: “Having Alex back is crucial for us. We have struggled to convert chances into goals, and he’s been a proven scorer throughout his career. It’s fantastic to have him back, even if only for a brief 15 minutes. We’re hopeful he can regain his form quickly.”
“Last time it took him a bit longer, which is to be expected, but following a productive rehabilitation period, we’re optimistic he’ll reach the level we need him to be at more swiftly.”
Fan protests
In closing, Slot was also asked about statements made by various Liverpool supporter groups regarding planned protests at Anfield for the remainder of the season due to ticket pricing concerns.
Fans have voiced their frustration over the club’s announcement of season ticket price hikes for the next three campaigns.
Slot responded: “Anfield has historically demonstrated, and in my experience, how vital these supporters are for us. A recent example is our match against Galatasaray, where we encountered a challenging away game amid their raucous supporters, and then Anfield truly displayed what it means to be loud.”
“That’s what makes Anfield unique. Overall, playing at home is a significant advantage for any team. I’ve always felt that support, whether in times of triumph or adversity. Despite any protests, I sincerely hope the fans continue to be as supportive as they have been.”
Compiled by SportArena.au
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