Andy Robertson shared his personal delight at becoming the Premier League's all-time record assist maker against Aston Villa last night - but the Reds left-back insisted that kicking off the second-half of the season with a win was the priority.
Liverpool bounced back from their Carabao Cup defeat at Manchester City to beat Aston Villa 3-1 at Villa Park. Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk sent the Reds into half-time 2-0 up before Ollie Watkins pulled one back. The home side continued to push for an equaliser, opening up space for a swift counter-attack that saw Stefan Bajcetic score his first senior goal.
Victory at Villa Park handed Jurgen Klopp his third consecutive league win for the first time this season - albeit with a World Cup inbetween - and propelled his side to within five points of Tottenham Hotspur in the fourth and final Champions League spot. And Robertson stressed the importance of carrying through the short burst of momentum with which they finished the first potion of the campaign.
INSIDE STORY: Cody Gakpo is the next part of Liverpool's £185m transfer plan
LIVE UPDATES: Latest on Cody Gakpo pursuit and other Liverpool rumours
“Perfect for us [the result], things haven’t been good enough this season, we know that,” Roberton told Prime Video. “We won against Tottenham and it was important after the break to back that up. It’s a tough place to come, new manager, an important three points for us.
"Look, the first-half couldn’t have gone much better for us, we dominated the game, had our chances and could’ve been more in front but we knew they were going to react, be more positive.
"A tough start to the second-half, 2-1, makes it interesting but sometimes you have to dig deep and we did that especially away from home. We showed a different side to us and then a counter-attack, Stefan, he’s been around the first-team long enough, stepped up his game.”
Robertson was outstanding all game, but saw his most influential involvement come for Salah's brilliant opener. Trent Alexander-Arnold picked up a loose ball from a corner and lifted a beautiful ball to his opposite-full back, who first touch laid on a plate the chance for Salah to tap home.
It was the 28-year-old's 54th Premier League assist, making him the league's all-time top assist maker ahead of former Everton man Leighton Baines. And while Robertson was wholly focussed on the team's performance, he admitted a personal pride to get his name in the record books.
He said: “We’ve got a corner, an unbelievable pass from Trent and I’ve seen Mo at the back post. Full-backs have evolved a lot and it’s about defending and attacking but first and foremost I want to defend.
“It’s a big part of our game [assists], I equalled [the record] just before the break, two against Southampton, then during the break I wanted to get back and beat it. First game back, it’s always nice, I’m not into individual things, I’m all for the team but when you do things like that round the Premier League with some brilliant defenders, it’s nice to put yourself up there.”
READ NEXT:
-
Cody Gakpo has given the game away about Manchester United ahead of Liverpool deal
-
Robin van Persie comments on Cody Gakpo send big warning to Liverpool rivals
- Virgil van Dijk sent brutal Cody Gakpo message to Man United before Liverpool launched transfer bid
-
Marcel Brands has already admitted Liverpool are the perfect destination for Cody Gakpo
-
Liverpool's next five Premier League fixtures compared to Man United, Tottenham and Chelsea
