ANDY ROBERTSON knows there is one way to ensure Liverpool end their 30–year title wait — become the new Invincibles.
Jurgen Klopp’s side host Sheffield United tonight well on their way to achieving the Scottish left-back’s dream of emulating Arsenal’s unbeaten season of 2003-04.
Andy Robertson has urged Liverpool to become the new InvinciblesCredit: Getty Images
The Gunners ultimately went 49 games without defeat, Liverpool are on 34, and even former Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is backing the runaway leaders to repeat the feat.
A win or a draw at Anfield against the Blades will complete a calendar year unbeaten in the league since a 2–1 loss to Manchester City last January 3.
It is also 31 months since the Reds lost at home while they have won 27 of their last 28 league games.
Robertson, 25, explained: “This says a lot about us.
“It says more about our mentality than it maybe does our skill.
“To be able to do it when on a lot of occasions it’s been Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday, Tuesday — we’ve had a lot of games.
“And obviously going far in the Champions League last season, right to the end.
“But to still not lose your focus in the Premier League is so important.
“It would be massive to go a whole calendar year unbeaten.
“But I’d rather a whole season than a whole calendar year — as I think that would mean we would be champions.
Liverpool’s run has given them the second–highest points per game ratio in the Premier League era — 2.65 — just 0.1 behind Chelsea’s record of 2005.
Their 34-game run is a new club record and third–longest in the Premier League behind Chelsea.
Klopp’s Reds are so far unbeaten in 19 league games this campaign.
Arsenal went 49 games without defeat but could be caught by Liverpool, who are on 34Credit: Reuters
And ambitious Robbo stressed: “To go unbeaten has to be our aim now. But we really have to just keep moving on.
“We have no time to waste with a massive FA Cup Merseyside derby coming up in a few days. First, though we get the job done hopefully against Sheffield United — and then we go again.
“Hopefully I’m sitting here this time next year and we’ll go, ‘What a year it’s been again’ and then we’ll move on to 2021.
“That’s the determination for all of the boys and now it’s up to us to fulfil it.”
Boss Klopp confirmed new £7.25million signing Takumi Minamino is not eligible to face Chris Wilder’s team.
It means he is likely to make his debut in that derby Cup clash with Everton on Sunday.
Klopp also hinted Adam Lallana may be leaving, with Newcastle keen after the 31-year-old midfielder snubbed a 12-month contract extension.
The German said: “These things we don’t discuss in public. But I’m really happy for him as he’s in sensational shape at the moment.
“He’s a very important player in this moment. What happens in the future, we will see.
“But for him, wherever it is — here or somewhere else — the only important thing is he shows that he is now 100 per cent fit.”
LIKELY LINE-UPS
LIVERPOOL: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson, Henderson, Wijanldum, Keita, Salah, Firmino, Mane.
SHEFFIELD UNITED: Henderson, Basham, Egan, O’Connell, Baldock, Lundstram, Norwood, Fleck, Stevens, McGoldrick, Mousset.
Jurgen Klopp jokes with Gabby Logan about questions on Liverpool already winning the league
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
