Liverpool drew 2-2 away to Arsenal in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon, but one player’s performance was slammed by journalist Josh Williams.
Arne Slot’s side were never at their brilliant best at the Emirates, rarely hitting top gear, but they will be happy to have come away with a share of the spoils.
Bukayo Saka got the better of Andy Robertson to give Arsenal an early lead in north London, but Virgil van Dijk headed home from a corner to restore parity.
Liverpool were undone before half-time, with Mikel Merino’s header giving the Gunners a 2-1 lead, but Mohamed Salah equalised with time running out.
It was a day that saw too many Reds players struggle to excel, but Robertson arguably stood out as his side’s poorest performer against the Gunners.
Not only was the Scot skinned by Saka for his goal, but he was generally given a torrid afternoon by the Arsenal star and rarely took risks with the ball at his feet.
Taking to X during the game, Williams didn’t hold back in his criticism of Robertson, even claiming the opening 45 minutes was his poorest-ever half for Liverpool:
“Might be Robertson’s worst-ever half in a Liverpool shirt, this. On an unrelated note, Ait-Nouri scored yesterday.”
Our thoughts on Robertson’s performance against Arsenal…
For the first time, there are question marks about Robertson and whether he has peaked as a footballer, having turned 30 years of age earlier this year.
The left-back now has over seven years in the tank at Liverpool, during which time he has played at an incredibly intense level under Jurgen Klopp, so it is understandable if his legs are starting to look heavy.
It may simply be that Robertson isn’t in the best form – he was also given a stern test at times by Chelsea’s Noni Madueke at Anfield last weekend – but finding a long-term successor for him is increasingly starting to feel like important business for the club to focus on.
Kostas Tsimikas is an able deputy but isn’t at the level to be a regular starter, so come the end of the season, a younger left-back has to be looked at.
Robertson can continue to be a great squad player, but it does feel as though his prime may now have deserted him, having been dribbled past twice on Sunday, also losing possession nine times.