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Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has heaped praise on his record-breaking defender Andy Robertson.

The full-back surpassed Leighton Baines in the all-time Premier League assists chart with his 54th assist in the competition, which arrived against Aston Villa on Boxing Day.

Robertson directed a pinpoint through ball from fellow full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold towards teammate Mohamed Salah, with the Egyptian tapping in to open the scoring.

Liverpool boss praises Robertson’s growth

Contents

1 Liverpool boss praises Robertson’s growth
- 1.1 Klopp: Robertson assist tally could be greater
  - 1.1.1 Liverpool hero moves up all-time scoring list

Robertson joined the Reds from Hull City in 2017. But he was certainly not a regular upon joining the club, largely playing as a reserve behind Alberto Moreno.

But his abilities shone through, with the Scot going on to become one of the best full-backs in world football. He has won the respect of his manager, but according to Klopp, that wasn’t always the case.

“We don’t have that much time [to talk about how good he is], but he is a great guy,” Klopp said after the win versus Villa, as reported by talkSPORT.

“Your colleagues told me now about his achievement because I am not so much into stats, but what came first to my mind was the guy we bought from Hull.

“We knew he was an exceptional talent, but personality and character makes you the player you can be. He obviously really had a good basis for that.

“He was a real talent offensively; defensively he was not that good and I remember when he came into my office after half a year because he didn’t play a lot about what he has to change.”

Klopp: Robertson assist tally could be greater

Klopp continued by saying that Robertson has become a ‘proper defender,’ but added that his assist tally could and perhaps should be even greater.

The Liverpool boss noted: “I explained to Robertson how he has to defend again and I said, ‘I am disappointed I have to tell you again because I told you a couple of times, that is the thing you have to change and everything is fine.’

“Now he obviously is a proper defender and still sets up balls. I have so many balls in my mind where he missed the free player in the middle; imagine he would have been there, more accurate as well, then the number is even crazier.”

Liverpool

Liverpool hero moves up all-time scoring list

Salah netted after just five minutes to set the Reds on their way on Boxing Day, with Virgil van Dijk doubling Liverpool’s lead in the 37th minute.

Ollie Watkins halved the deficit on the hour mark, but Liverpool youngster Stefan Bajcetic ensured the Merseyside outfit left with all three points.

Klopp also took a moment post-match to lavish the opening scorer with praise, with the attacker now joint-seventh in Liverpool’s all-time goalscoring list with Kenny Dalglish.

Both Reds legends have scored 172 goals for the club, with Salah undoubtedly set to extend that tally in the months to come.

“When you are mentioned in the same phrase or same sentence as Sir Kenny Dalglish then you did something right,” said Klopp. “In this moment especially, it’s a big one as well.”