OPINION
Everyone connected with Liverpool realises that they will miss first choice left back Andrew Robertson hugely against Porto on Tuesday night.
That extends to Robertson’s Reds teammates, with Virgil van Dijk chief amongst those bemoaning the loss of the Scotland captain at Anfield.
Van Dijk on Robertson ban: "We will miss Robbo as he's the best left-back in the country but I didn't play against Bayern and Fabinho did a great job there. Someone needs to fill his spot tomorrow. I'm very confident we will be fine." #LFC
— James Pearce (@JamesPearceLFC) April 8, 2019
“We will miss Robbo as he’s the best left-back in the country but I didn’t play against Bayern and Fabinho did a great job there,” he said at Monday’s pre match press conference, as per journalist James Pearce’s personal Twitter account.
Van Dijk is spot on his assessment. There is no doubt that Robertson is the finest left back in England. Perhaps there used to be an argument for Manchester City’s Benjamin Mendy, but the City man’s fall from grace has meant that left backs from further down the Premier League like Leicester City’s Ben Chilwell and Everton’s Lucas Digne are now more serious rivals for Robertson’s crown.
However, in truth, neither of those two players can hold a candle to the kind of form the Liverpool stalwart has produced this season. He has been absolutely sensational for Jurgen Klopp’s side.
Van Dijk is correct that the Reds will miss Robertson on Tuesday, with the former Hull City man suspended for the first leg of the two teams’ Champions League quarter final clash.
Aside from the imperious Dutchman, the 25-year-old is the most important player in the Liverpool defence. He is so consistent and so complete in his all-round excellence that it’s always a chore when Klopp’s team are forced to play without him.
But, as Van Dijk says, he was suspended for the first leg against Bayern and Fabinho was tremendous as an auxiliary centre back. So, while it’s a blow for Robertson to be missing, someone has an opportunity to step up.
It will likely be midfielder James Milner filling in at full back, as he has done many times before. Or perhaps it will be back natural left back Alberto Moreno. Either way they will be targeted on Tuesday.
Yet despite Klopp having options to choose from to fill Robertson’s shoes against Porto, Van Dijk’s gushing praise highlights the headache the manager has coping with the player’s absence.
