Andy Robertson has acknowledged the responsibility on Liverpool to combat fatigue as it gears up to continue its Premier League title pursuit. After a 17-day hiatus, the Reds are set to welcome local rivals Everton on Wednesday, sitting comfortably with a 12-point lead over Arsenal.
The Reds’ squad depth and resilience are being tested this season, with Arne Slot’s men feeling the sting of recent setbacks, including a Champions League exit at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain and a League Cup final defeat by Newcastle United.
With a hefty tally of 47 matches already under the belt this campaign, signs of weariness have crept into some Liverpool performances.
Scotland captain Robertson has emphasized the importance of staying mentally and physically sharp, stating: “The schedule’s obviously been relentless with two extra games in the Champions League and we got to the final of the Carabao Cup, but it’s up to us to be fresh. It’s up to us to be fresh in mind and fresh in body.
“The schedule still has a lot of games and there will be tired bodies, but hopefully in April and May we will still be fresh and we will still be firing on all cylinders because we’re going to need to be doing that to win anything this season. If we are, it gives us the best possible chance.”
As Liverpool’s chances for multiple trophies dwindle, the Premier League remains the last opportunity to add a significant accolade to Slot’s commendable debut season at the helm.
Robertson has urged the current squad to start realizing its potential and begin lifting silverware before they can be considered on par with the club’s illustrious teams of recent years.
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He said: “I’ve played in some really good Liverpool teams. I’ve been very, very fortunate and I think the team that won the Champions League and the Premier League was a special team.
“We proved back then that we can win the big trophies and just now we’ve not done that. This team has definitely got the potential to be a really special team, but I think you need to win trophies to prove that.”
“This team has certainly got the potential to be a really special Liverpool team because of the quality we’ve got, but we have to keep showing that. Hopefully it ends up in us winning something.”
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In an interview featured in the latest Walk On emagazine, Robertson also praised the seamless transition post-Jurgen Klopp era, saying: “Nobody quite knew how Liverpool were going to be after (Jurgen Klopp) and I think it’s a credit to the manager now that you’ve not really seen a difference in terms of still competing at the top of the Premier League.”
“The manager has really implemented the way he wants to play and the staff have worked tirelessly to make sure we all know what our jobs are and how to do them. He wants us to get better because he know we’re not the finished article – far from it – but I think he couldn’t have dreamed of a much better start.
“But we want to end the season with a big trophy – that’s clear – and it’s up to us to try to keep performing to do that and help him get on his way to start his legacy at Liverpool.”
