Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has admitted that rumored transfer target Antonee Robinson will pose a significant “threat” for Fulham ahead of his side’s trip to Craven Cottage.
Having maintained a 12-point lead at the Premier League summit with a 1-0 win over neighbors Everton in midweek, the Reds will travel to West London in search of another victory – to take them one step closer to the title. The triumph over the Toffees means that the top flight pacesetters will require four more wins from the remaining eight games to secure the championship.
The Merseysiders defeated their next opponents 3-1 on the road last term and will be hoping for a similar result against Marco Silva’s men this time around. However, having earned a 2-2 draw at Anfield in the reverse fixture earlier in the campaign, the Cottagers would be forgiven for feeling confident of halting Liverpool’s title charge on Sunday.
Among those who emerged from L4 in December with a reputation enhanced was Fulham left-back Robinson, who earned the Man of the Match honors on his return to his home city. The American international, who grew up in Prescot on Merseyside, was imperious up against league top scorer Mohamed Salah and made an impression with his attacking prowess too in a strong display.
As Slot prepares to lead his troops into battle at the Cottage, the Dutchman has admitted that the former Everton trainee has been a standout star for his current employers this term. Speaking at a press conference, he confessed: “He is definitely a threat. I saw this when Fulham played Arsenal and against us. He is having a great season.
“But the good thing about a left-back who wants to attack is that he takes the risk of leaving Mo in a position where he can hurt you in transition. That has happened multiple times this season. We have to make sure we take care of that part and have a good answer to Robinson. Every team brings you challenges and Fulham will do so also.”
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The 27-year-old’s showings in recent seasons have meant that he has regularly been linked with a potential move to Anfield in the future. The defender boasts an enviable CV in terms of Premier League experience, having played 130 times in the division across his career.
However, the full-back has been eager to block out the noise in relation to speculation over a move to Liverpool until now, telling ESPN: “I’ve been in the game long enough now, you know you’ve got to block out the outside noise. I’ve been on the end of it when I’ve not been playing well.
“I saw the criticism when I was younger, people like doubting me and things. I know that there are two sides to the coin,” he continued, as he revealed his approach to the rumors. “You just have to take everything with a grain of salt.”
Robinson added: “You have to believe in yourself, and when things are going bad, focus on yourself, and when things are going good, focus on keeping going. Transfer rumors and stuff like that, I try not to look at.”
