Analysis: The Worrying Numbers Behind Andy Robertson’s Liverpool Struggles | OneFootball

Liverpool’s Left-Back Dilemma: Is Andy Robertson Still the Best Option?

Liverpool’s left-back situation has been a topic of intense debate, and the latest Anfield Index podcast, featuring Dave Davis and Dr Phil Barter, dissected this issue in depth. The discussion centred on Andy Robertson’s current form, his statistical output, and whether Kostas Tsimikas offers a viable alternative.

Andy Robertson’s Declining Influence

Andy Robertson has been an integral part of Liverpool’s success, but as Dr Phil Barter pointed out, his performances have significantly dropped off.

“Andy Robertson is a Liverpool legend, an absolute snip beyond belief at £8 million. Won it all, been unbelievable back in his day… That day is not now,” Davis remarked.

The stats confirm this decline. According to the analysis shared on the podcast, Robertson’s passing success rate was around 81%, significantly lower than Tsimikas’ near 90% success rate. More worryingly, Robertson’s final third carries were down to just 54%, a stark contrast to Tsimikas’ 69%.

Robertson’s passing patterns were also scrutinised. His most frequent pass was back to Virgil van Dijk (12 times), rather than progressing the ball into attacking areas. Davis highlighted:

“There were times in commentary where it looked like Robo was just knocking it back to VVD, just playing safe… 18 of his passes were defensively minded.”

Photo: IMAGO

Kostas Tsimikas: A More Effective Alternative?

While Kostas Tsimikas is not seen as an elite left-back, the numbers suggest he has been more effective in Liverpool’s attacking build-up. The podcast revealed that despite playing only a third of the time Robertson did, Tsimikas produced double the expected threat (xT).

“In his time on the pitch, Kostas produced nearly 14% of our threat, whereas Robo, in two-thirds of the time, only produced 6%. That’s a massive difference,” Barter explained.

Photo: IMAGO

Tsimikas was also more adventurous with his carries. In a game where Liverpool struggled to break down the opposition, his willingness to push forward and create openings was clear.

“Final third passes? Robo had 15, Kostas had 10. But remember, Costas was only on for a third of the time. That’s significant,” Barter noted.

Set-Piece Struggles and Defensive Worries

Robertson’s set-piece struggles were also highlighted in the podcast. Davis was blunt in his criticism:

“Robo hit the front man and put it out of play numerous times. The first thing Kostas does? He puts it right on Jota’s head, and we score.”

Photo: IMAGO

Defensively, Robertson’s lack of duel involvement was another red flag. Barter pointed out that:

“He didn’t win any duels and wasn’t involved in a lot, which is more of a worry.”

In contrast, Tsimikas was at least competing and winning ground duels, showing a bit more resilience in his defensive work.

Is It Time for Liverpool to Move On?

One of the biggest concerns raised in the discussion was Robertson’s poor performance despite having extended rest.

“The biggest concern for me was that Robo hadn’t played much recently. He played against United but then had a huge chunk of time off. That should have helped him recover, but this was still one of his worst performances,” Davis noted.

Liverpool may need to look at the market for a new left-back, as Barter hinted:

“There are solutions in the market. We’ve looked at left-backs which are doable this window. Unfortunately, it looks like it’s not gonna happen.”

Conclusion

While Andy Robertson’s legacy at Liverpool is secure, his current performances raise serious concerns. The numbers suggest Kostas Tsimikas offers more attacking threat, better passing accuracy, and greater efficiency in his minutes on the pitch. If Liverpool are to compete at the highest level under Arne Slot, they must make tough decisions regarding their full-back options.

With the January transfer window open, could Liverpool look for a long-term successor to Robertson? As Davis put it:

“It’s a worry. A real worry.”