“Andy Robertson’s Real Madrid Showdown: A Quest for Redemption, Not Revenge”
“Andy Robertson’s Real Madrid Clash: It’s About Redemption, Not Revenge”
Andy Robertson is focused on fortifying Liverpool’s standing rather than seeking ‘revenge’ when they face Real Madrid tomorrow.
Arne Slot’s side currently leads the Champions League group stage with a flawless record at the midway mark. On matchday five at Anfield, they aim to solidify their dominance against the team that defeated them in the 2018 and 2022 finals.
Reigning champions Real Madrid also brought Liverpool’s Champions League journeys to an end in the knockout stages of both the 2020-21 and 2022-23 seasons.
However, Andy Robertson views their upcoming clash as a fresh start, emphasizing the team’s focus on sustaining their strong campaign this season.
“I don’t really think about revenge or owing anyone,” the left-back stated during today’s pre-match press conference.
Reflecting on past encounters, Robertson highlighted the significance of the 2018 final, saying, “That year was crucial for our journey. Nobody expected us to reach the Champions League final, but it gave us the belief that we could compete at that level and ultimately win it the following year.”
Reflecting on the 2022 final, Robertson admitted it was a tougher defeat to take. “It obviously hurt a lot more,” he said. “I thought we played well, dominated the game. Their goalkeeper was Man of the Match, which says a lot. But Real Madrid do what they do—there’s a reason they’ve won this competition more than anyone else.”
Despite past disappointments, Robertson dismissed any notions of revenge, instead emphasizing the importance of the present challenge. “Our squad is new, their squad is new, and we’re just focused on tomorrow. Strengthening our position at the top of the table is crucial, especially with how significant finishing in the top eight can be for seeding in the last 16 and avoiding a play-off.”
He concluded, “That’s where all our attention is right now.”
On what gives him confidence in this Liverpool squad’s potential for success:
Robertson highlighted the team’s ability to win consistently as a key factor. “What we’ve shown so far this season is that we can win football matches,” he said, while acknowledging the long road ahead.
He pointed to the experience within the squad, saying, “A few of us have experienced winning both the Premier League and Champions League. It takes consistency and a bit of luck with injuries and form, and so far, we’ve had that.”
Even in challenging moments, the team has found ways to grind out results. “Maybe when we’ve not been at our best, we’ve still managed to win, which is encouraging,” he added.
However, Robertson remained cautious, noting, “We’re only 12 games into the Premier League and four into the Champions League. There’s still a lot of football to be played and plenty of twists and turns ahead.”
He emphasized the importance of maintaining momentum: “When you’re in a good moment, you have to keep building on it. We’ve done that well so far, and with big games coming up, if we can get the results, we can really strengthen our position.”
On whether a win on Wednesday would be a key step in the team’s growth:
“Yeah, of course,” Robertson said, reflecting on Liverpool’s previous encounters with Real Madrid. “Since I’ve been here, we’ve faced them five or six times, and unfortunately, we’ve not come out on top yet.”
However, he emphasized that this is a new chapter for both sides. “There’s only a few of us left who were involved in those matches. It’s a different squad now—a new group of players, many of whom haven’t faced Real Madrid with Liverpool yet. The same goes for them; they’ve got new faces as well.”
Robertson acknowledged the significance of such high-profile matches. “When you’re playing against the best players and the best teams, you want to be part of it. More importantly, you want to get the result.”
On the magnitude of the game and its importance for Liverpool:
“It’ll probably be the most-watched game this week, and that’s exactly the stage big players want to be part of,” Robertson said.
He highlighted the significance of a potential victory, explaining, “If we can get the win, it not only strengthens our position in the Champions League but also means beating one of our top competitors, which is always satisfying. We’re excited by that challenge.”
At the same time, Robertson acknowledged the threat posed by their opponents. “We know how good Real Madrid can be. They’ll come here with confidence and belief that they can get the result,” he admitted.
Still, he remained hopeful for a positive outcome. “Hopefully, come tomorrow night, we’re the ones leaving happier.”
On his leadership role in the squad and its growing importance:
“There are only a few of us in the squad who’ve experienced winning the two big trophies,” Robertson said, referring to the Premier League and Champions League. “We need to draw on that experience to help the new players and younger ones stay grounded. It’s easy to get carried away and look too far ahead, but we’ve got enough in the dressing room to prevent that.”
He emphasized the collective leadership within the squad, naming key players like Virgil van Dijk, Mo Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Alisson Becker, and Joe Gomez. “We’re the ones who’ve been there and done it. It’s our job to keep things calm and ensure the focus remains on the next game, because that’s what matters most,” he explained.
Robertson outlined the team’s mindset, saying, “Right now, we’re fully focused on tomorrow night. Once that’s done, we’ll shift our attention to Man City, and then to Newcastle after that. That’s the approach that works best for us, and it’s one we’ve always followed. As leaders, we play a key role in maintaining that focus.”
On Trent Alexander-Arnold:
“Trent’s obviously a key player for us,” Robertson said. “He’s someone who has been part of this team’s success over the years and continues to play an important role. His quality on the ball, his vision, and his ability to influence games are things that not many players can replicate.”
He also highlighted Alexander-Arnold’s leadership qualities. “Trent’s maturing every season and has stepped up as one of the leaders in the squad. He sets standards on and off the pitch, and his experience at such a young age is invaluable for the group.”
Robertson added, “We all know how important he is to this team, and his consistency and creativity make him a constant threat. He’s a big part of what we’re trying to achieve this season.”
On Trent Alexander-Arnold:
“Trent is one of my closest friends in the dressing room,” Robertson shared. “We’ve been on this journey together, growing and developing as players. He’s not just a fantastic footballer but also a fantastic person.”
Robertson didn’t hold back in praising his teammate’s abilities. “His quality speaks for itself—top level. He’s one of, if not the best, right-backs in the world, and he proves that year after year,” he said, before adding, “People sometimes forget how young he still is. Even though he’s getting a bit older, he’s still young enough to keep improving, which is
On the opening months of Arne Slot’s tenure:
“The manager and the new coaching staff have been a breath of fresh air,” Robertson said. “They’ve brought in new ideas, and with a lot of new staff, it’s been an exciting change. Credit to the players, we’ve all bought into it and really enjoyed the process.”
He acknowledged the importance of results, stating, “Of course, results help with that. They build confidence in the coaches and the players. That’s one of the key reasons behind our good start.”
Robertson also praised the work ethic of the coaching team. “The amount of work we do on the training pitch, the meetings we have, and the hours the manager and coaches put in is incredible. They ensure we’re as prepared as possible for every game. It’s up to us to then go out and deliver our best for them.”
Reflecting on the season so far, Robertson added, “More often than not, we’ve done that, and we’re hoping that continues. The manager and the coaches have been fantastic since they arrived, and everyone’s enjoyed working with them. We’re eager to keep that going.”
On Mo Salah:
“He didn’t look sad to me today!” Robertson laughed. “Mo comes into training every single day with a smile on his face. He’s in the gym working as hard as ever, and on the training pitch, he’s giving it his all. In terms of attitude, he’s one of the happiest people around the training ground, no doubt. He enjoys every moment of being there, and you can really tell that.”
Robertson joked about finding any evidence to the contrary: “If you can find me a picture from today’s training where he looks sad, fair enough, but he always looks happy.”
He went on to praise Salah’s focus and professionalism. “He’s such a focused individual. Right now, he’s probably at home, already focused on tomorrow night. That’s the key. All great players, all the best in the world, do that—and Mo certainly belongs in that category.”