Andy Robertson says criticism of Liverpool’s form is warranted and believes the good times will return despite urging his team-mates to get off social media.
Liverpool lost 3-0 at home to Nottingham Forest on Saturday, their sixth defeat in seven league games, which left the defending champions in 11th place. The club stayed in the bottom tier for the first time in over 10 years.
Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher described the Reds as “a huge mess”. monday night football Arne Slot is under pressure after the club spent nearly £450m on new signings in the summer.
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Highlights of the Premier League match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest
Ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League clash with PSV, Arne Slot said he feels guilty about the team’s “stupid” and “unbelievable” slump this season.
Liverpool defender Robertson admitted it was “very difficult” and the team had fallen below expectations.
he said Sky Sports ‘One to One’ Podcast: “The standards for this football club have been set over the years and when they fall below that level the criticism gets higher and higher.
“The criticism leveled at us now cannot be questioned. It is justified because of the position we are in and the results we have had so far. But now it is up to us to come together.”
“It is up to us to try and bring the best version of ourselves and if we do that we will have enough quality in the squad to get better results.”
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has said he believes the season the Reds are having so far is almost absurd compared to last year’s title-winning campaign.
“It’s important now that people don’t lose faith and confidence in their abilities, and that we all stick together on the training ground.
“And if we do that, it gives us our best chance of getting out of this situation. But obviously we have to show consistency again in our work. That was the problem.”
Asked if players have lost confidence and belief, Robertson said: “You probably have to ask the individual, but it’s up to the experienced players to make sure that doesn’t happen. Because you don’t become a world-class player overnight, but you also don’t turn into a bad player overnight.”
“I think it’s always been that way. One game you’re the best player in the world. The next game you sit on the bench and you’re the worst player in the world. That’s the world we live in.”
“That’s why it’s important for young people to not be on social media too much, read too much or listen too much. We try to stay in our own bubble.
Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Jamie Carragher looks at the problems facing Arne Slot and says only the Liverpool manager can solve them.
“This is what the experienced players here do all the time, the older players have done very well for many years and now more than ever it is important for all of us to do that because I still believe in this team.”
“I still believe in every player in this dressing room and I believe the good times will come again, but we have to show it and we have to show it sooner rather than later because it has taken too long for me to be at Liverpool.”
“We are not in a good position in the league and the only way to do that is to play better and work harder and if we do that hopefully we will start to climb again.”
Liverpool supporters left Anfield early during a rare defeat to Forest on Merseyside, but Robertson showed no displeasure.
“I’ve been really lucky not to have had that happen many times since I’ve been here,” Robertson added.
“But obviously on Saturday it was clear at the final whistle that most people had left and I don’t blame them one bit – being 3-0 down at home to Nottingham Forest is unacceptable.
“There is no problem with them leaving, but the important thing is that they try to stay with us, because we know how powerful Anfield can be when it is at its best. And that is when the players are at their best and the fans are at their best.”
“And we know that we have been below par. That is why we are subparing the fans, because we have not given them anything to shout about. We have to give them something to shout about.”
Watch West Ham v Liverpool on Sunday live on Sky Sports. It starts at 2:05 PM.
