Mohamed Salah and the Joy of Andy Robertson’s First Champions League Goal

Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Andy Robertson scored. That’s the story.

There was a big match at Anfield on Wednesday evening between Liverpool and RB Salzburg. It was a nail biter. Jürgen Klopp’s team won the contest but, with a final scoreline of 4-3, questions are already being asked about the state of Liverpool’s ability to control a game. Just to be clear, I’m not here to ask those questions. I’d rather talk about Andy Robertson’s first Champions League goal.

The build-up began] with a typical, inspiring run from Robertson. He has the ball, he breaks through the lines with an explosion of pace and then he’s off. Jordan Henderson eventually collected that ball and swung it out wide to Trent Alexander-Arnold. Robertson continued his run into the box and Trent just hit the thing. It was a perfect ball to meet Robertson’s feet. A little touch off the Scotsman’s left boot and into the net it went.

After the match, Mohamed Salah was elated that Robertson had scored. Much is said of the team unity at Melwood but this kind of appreciation for your teammates achievements is something special in the Klopp era.

“Finally he scored!” said Salah, who was standing beside a grinning Sadio Mané.

“We are happy for him. He doesn’t score a lot but he’s giving everything in the game, he’s giving everything for the team, so yeah, we’re happy for him.”

Robertson isn’t a natural goalscorer. As a left back, he’s not often the furthest man forward either, as he was against Salzburg. But Klopp gives his players freedom in the system to make decisions and influence the game and that’s exactly what we’ve been seeing more of from Robertson. He’s driving inside more and getting into attacking positions.

Virgil Van Dijk had a private message for Robertson after the goal. Andy didn’t reveal what was said but, having fun at his own expense, imagined that Virgil was probably just in disbelief.

“I think he was just surprised, to be honest,” said Robertson. “I think most people were. That’s probably my fault for not scoring enough. Hopefully, the next time I score they won’t be as surprised.”

Source: liverpooloffside.sbnation.com