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Robertson: Media pressure unfairly hit Alexander-Arnold
22 Sep
Summary
- Robertson believes Alexander-Arnold faced unique pressures due to nationality.
- Liverpool's tactics sometimes left Alexander-Arnold defensively exposed.
- Despite success, defensive critiques followed Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid.
Andy Robertson has spoken about the distinct pressures Trent Alexander-Arnold endured during their time at Liverpool, suggesting his former teammate was unfairly scrutinized due to his nationality. Robertson, now with Tottenham, believes the English media and fanbase applied a different standard to the now Real Madrid right-back.
The duo formed a highly effective full-back partnership under Jurgen Klopp, contributing significantly to Liverpool's success, including Champions League and Premier League titles. Despite their shared attacking prowess, Robertson highlighted a noticeable disparity in the public's perception of their defensive capabilities.
Speaking on 'The Overlap,' Robertson detailed how Liverpool's tactical formations occasionally left Alexander-Arnold in vulnerable defensive positions. He contrasted the aggressive defensive support he received on the left flank with the less immediate protection Alexander-Arnold had on the right, due to Mohamed Salah's attacking positioning.
This imbalance frequently isolated Alexander-Arnold, prompting Robertson to express sympathy for his defensive partner. The narrative surrounding Alexander-Arnold's defensive abilities persisted even after his 2025 departure from Anfield for Real Madrid.
