Football’s Best Left Back Andy Robertson Says He “Can Still Improve”

Liverpool’s Andy Robertson has just signed a well-earned new long-term contract. He’s also pledged to be fit in time to face title rivals Chelsea on the weekend. Either would be reason enough to celebrate for most Liverpool fans.

For Robertson, though, it’s not enough to come back and play like he has over the past four seasons since he joined the club—and then established himself as the best left back in the world. Instead, he wants to prove he can do more; can be even better.

“I can still improve,” the 27-year-old Scot told the club’s official website. “I always want to get better. I look at ways I can get better every single game, every single training session, and that’s always the way I’ve worked.

“Probably my biggest doubter throughout my whole career has been myself and it’s always trying to prove that person wrong. But I know that person inside my head will never be happy and that’s the way I enjoy it because I always want to strive for more.”

More could mean more of the things that are easy for the fans to see on the pitch, but after last season’s defensive injury crisis, Robertson says that more also means growing further into a leadership role for this Liverpool side.

“I’ll always try to keep pushing myself,” he added. “Whether that’s trying to get more assists or whether that’s trying to get more clean sheets, it’s different things. You know, becoming more vocal, maybe things that not everyone sees.

“Last season was a big season for me. I took on a different role with all the injuries we had and the way Nat Phillips and Rhys Williams played near the back end of the season. Me and Gini helped them, Trent helped them.

“Seeing those boys flourish was as big an achievement for me as me playing well as well and it meant that the more and more they grew in confidence, the less that I had to worry about. These things are all different and it’s part of growing as a player.”