Andy Robertson’s reduced game time at Liverpool raises concerns for Scotland’s World Cup qualifying hopes. Despite his commitment to Liverpool, the lack of minutes could impact his sharpness. However, some believe it might motivate him to perform better for Scotland. A change in formation could also benefit emerging stars like Ben Gannon-Doak. Robertson aims to continue playing for Scotland and break Kenny Dalglish’s record, requiring a strong return to form at Anfield.
Andy Robertson, the stalwart left-back and captain of Scotland, finds himself in an unfamiliar position at Liverpool this season. After eight years of near-undisputed reign on the left flank, the arrival of Milos Kerkez from Bournemouth seems to have nudged him down the pecking order. This development raises a crucial question: What does Robertson's reduced game time at Anfield mean for Scotland's chances in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Denmark and Belarus?
With a mere 30 Premier League minutes under his belt this term, concerns about Robertson's match sharpness are understandable. "I've missed the feeling of playing games," Robertson confessed to BBC Scotland. "I'm used to being a regular starter for so many years, and it's been a bit difficult with the transition, but I think I've dealt with it fairly well."
However, Scotland's head coach Steve Clarke and BBC pundit James McFadden remain cautiously optimistic. They believe that, in the short term, Robertson's situation won't pose a significant issue. But the underlying sentiment is clear: should Robertson's season be defined by more bench-warming than on-field action, Scotland's campaign could be in jeopardy.
Image source, SNSInterestingly, this isn't the first time Robertson's future has been a talking point. During Scotland's friendlies against Iceland and Liechtenstein in June, Liverpool's interest in Kerkez was already evident. Speculation swirled about Robertson potentially leaving Anfield, with several clubs understandably expressing interest. Yet, despite Kerkez's £40m move, Robertson chose to remain and fight for his place.
"I had a think about what I wanted to do, and I came to the decision, committed to the decision, and I'm happy to be there," Robertson stated, emphasizing his commitment to Liverpool. "Everything boiled down to that my heart was still in Liverpool, and we wanted to stay. We're very settled there, and we're at one of the biggest clubs in the world."
However, the initial phase of Arne Slot's tenure hasn't offered Robertson much playing time. This scarcity of minutes follows a season where Robertson, by his own admission, fell short of his usual high standards. The prolific assist numbers he and Trent Alexander-Arnold once routinely delivered under Jurgen Klopp dwindled, reflecting a shift in tactical approaches.
Robertson has occasionally faced criticism from some Scotland fans, struggling at times to replicate his Liverpool form on the international stage. While he could consistently rack up assists for his club, his crosses often missed their mark during international duty.
James McFadden suggests Robertson's current situation might ironically benefit Scotland. "It might actually work out because you've got somebody that wants to come in and hopefully remind everybody that he should be starting," McFadden explained. "I've been there before where you're not playing regularly, but going away with Scotland gave me a lift because I knew there was a chance of playing, and it was just something a wee bit different."
With Kieran Tierney sidelined due to injury, Clarke may be compelled to switch to a four-man defense. Such a formation could potentially unlock the talents of Scotland's emerging stars, particularly Bournemouth winger Ben Gannon-Doak. McFadden describes Gannon-Doak as "someone we've been crying out for," highlighting his exceptional pace and eagerness to take on defenders.
Robertson, however, remains determined to play a crucial role in Clarke's plans and continue his pursuit of Kenny Dalglish's record of 102 caps. He humorously recounted a conversation with Dalglish, saying, "I'm coming for you." Dalglish's response? "Plenty of players have said that before, and he's still the main man."
With 18 appearances separating him from the record and potentially his last opportunity to qualify for a World Cup on the horizon, Robertson needs to make a significant impact at Anfield to prove Dalglish wrong and lead Scotland to glory.