Robertson reaping rewards of golden era for full backs

Andy Robertson has found a new way of winding up Trent Alexander-Arnold.

- RICHARD JOLLY

When their paths cross, he just utters three words and they need no elaboration for either of Liverpool's flying full backs. "I just say to him by a mile"," the Scot smiled. "I just keep saying it to him. I walk past and that's all I need to say." Those three words have given Robertson a chance to gloat in a friendly rivalry that has helped drive Liverpool to greatness. There are two times in recent weeks when former full backs have brought a sudden influx of messages to Robertson's phone.One  is a Liverpool icon, in Alan Kennedy; another was long a hate figure at Anfield, in Gary Neville.

When it became apparent that, as in 1981, the European Cup final would be Liverpool versus Real Madrid in Paris, it brought back memories of Kennedy. Robertson was sent footage of an unlikely scorer's winner, often with the suggestion he could emulate a predecessor. "If we get a good basis then I will let someone else try and be the hero," he countered. A left back has already secured Liverpool a trophy in 2022, with Kostas Tsimikas scoring the winning penalty in the FA Cup final shootout. "I should have had my moment," said Robertson, who hit the post with a few minutes remaining. "I obviously missed that. We have played in two finals and there have been penalties and heroes. When it comes to finals, I don't really sit and think about scoring the winner, it is not really in my personality."