Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp lauded his team’s efforts in Tuesday night’s dull 0-0 stalemate against Chelsea on Tuesday evening.

After the Reds’ humiliating 4-1 loss to Manchester City the previous weekend, Klopp decided to make six changes for the trip to Stamford Bridge. Players like Trent Alexander-Arnold, Andy Robertson, and Mohamed Salah were all benched.

In their first game following Graham Potter’s sacking and with Bruno Saltor at the helm, Chelsea suffocated Liverpool but were guilty of some horrendously wasteful finishing, with Klopp’s men perhaps a little fortunate to return to Merseyside with a point.

Nevertheless, Klopp stated after the game that he was pleased with how his team responded and battled for the draw.

“Reaction must always be [important],” he said. “I saw a lot of great challenges, people flying into tackles and that’s what we need. Midfield, the three of them [Fabinho, Jordan Henderson and Curtis Jones] didn’t play that often together.

“That’s what we have to build on it. If things don’t go your way you have to fight through this and make steps. Sometimes smaller ones, sometimes bigger ones and this was a smaller one.

“From a passion point of view I really liked the game. Yes it was not the best football but these boys are really good footballers and tonight they put in a proper shift.

“I thought really for the six changes especially, it was good tonight and that’s what I take. They wanted to win desperately, we did as well, but we have to take a point.”

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In a heated match on Tuesday night at Hampden Park, Scotland’s captain Andy Robertson accused Spain’s players of “rolling down a little bit easy” and “rolling around.”

Robertson was part of a backline which limited Spain to precious few chances as Scott McTominay bagged a brace to secure a famous 2-0 victory for the hosts.

Referee Sandro Scharer whistled for 28 combined fouls, although Spain – despite their protestations – were adjudged to have committed more offences (15) than Scotland (13).

The Liverpool full-back was not impressed with the behaviour of Luis de la Fuente’s side, telling Viaplay after the match: “I think they were going down a little bit easily. We were trying to say that [to the referee]. We were always going to try and be physical; we wanted to be in their faces, we wanted to win our headers and we wanted to win our challenges. I think we done that and I don’t think we crossed the line.

“I think they were, especially in the first half, rolling around a wee bit much,” Robertson added. “They used their experience and they got a couple of us booked which is fair enough to them. I think we did win that battle and I think we got under their skin a wee bit, especially the first half. And then they made a couple of subs in the second half, bringing on a wee bit more experience in [Dani] Carvajal, who doesn’t really get caught up in these things.”

Spain’s skipper on the night, Rodri, accused Scotland of play-acting as well. “It’s the way they play…for me it’s a bit rubbish,” the Manchester City midfielder sniffed. “Because it’s always wasting time. They provoke you. They always fall. For me, this is not football.”

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Robertson, unaware of that criticism, was keen to praise his team – which he described as “an absolute joy” to captain.

“It was an all-round top performance from us all and we’re really happy tonight. But, like I said, we need to go back to our clubs now and we can’t wait for June. But we have to put the same commitment, the same determination, the same quality in. If we do that, then it will put us in a good position,” he added.

The 2024 European Championships qualifying campaign for Scotland began on Saturday with a 3-0 victory over Cyprus, placing Steve Clarke’s team atop the early rankings in their five-team group, two of which will automatically qualify for the finals in Germany.

After seeing Scotland endure a 23-year absence from major international football, Robertson was quick to downplay his nation’s fast start. “It’s important we all don’t get carried away,” he stressed. “We’ve got six points, which is a great start but unfortunately six points doesn’t qualify us for the Euros.

“We’ve got two massive games in June,” the left-back continued. “If we come out of those games with the points we think we need, it’ll put us in a fantastic position.”

McTominay broke the deadlock against Spain after just seven minutes, setting Scotland on their way to the nation’s third-ever competitive victory against La Roja. “We knew we had to try to get off to a good start, put them under pressure, get the fans with us – and I think we did a really good job of that,” Robertson explained.

“When you score so early, you kind of fall back a bit, and we were defending too deep at the end of that first half. But I thought the second half was a really professional performance and shows how far we’ve come.

“The gaffer and his team set us up so well tonight, we knew we had the game plan and could cause them problems.

“We had belief. When the gaffer took over that was what was lacking. There was a disconnect between players and fans. Playing in front of a full crowd makes a massive difference, but you’ve got to back it up with performances.”

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Liverpool has stated that they have opened an investigation into the pitch invasion that occurred during the match at Anfield versus Manchester United.

After Liverpool’s last goal in their historic 7-0 thrashing of Manchester United on Sunday night, a supporter rushed onto the field. The concerned supporter ran into Andy Robertson as he attempted to approach the Liverpool players who were celebrating on the sideline.

The club have confirmed they are looking into the incident and intend to ban the fan from attending future games: “The offender ran onto the pitch and collided with Liverpool players, risking injury, as they celebrated the seventh goal in front of the Main Stand.

“There is no excuse for this unacceptable and dangerous behaviour. The safety and security of players, colleagues and supporters is paramount.

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“The club will now follow its formal sanctions process and has suspended the alleged offender’s account until the process is complete. If found guilty of the offence of entering the pitch without permission, the offender could face a criminal record and a lifetime ban from Anfield and all Premier League stadiums.

“These acts are dangerous, illegal and have severe consequences.”

The Merseyside Police have also confirmed they have arrested a 16-year-old in connection with the incident. A statement from the police force reads: “A 16-year-old boy has been arrested following the Liverpool vs Manchester United game at Anfield yesterday.

“During the match a supporter was seen on the pitch. Officers later arrested a 16-year-old boy from Winsford on suspicion of encroaching onto a football pitch.

“He is scheduled to voluntarily attend a police station in Merseyside regarding this incident.

“Our officers are currently working with Liverpool Football Club in relation to the incident.”

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On Boxing Day, while helping Liverpool to a 3-1 victory over Aston Villa, Andy Robertson set the Premier League record for the most assists by a defender.

After being beautifully spotted by Trent Alexander-Arnold, the former Hull left-back squared across the box to put up Mohamed Salah for the Reds’ opening goal at Villa Park.

Robertson passed former Everton and Wigan defender Leighton Baines, who is currently second with 53 assists in the current incarnation of England’s top division, with that cross to Salah.

Robertson now has 54 assists in the top division. Although a current teammate will challenge Robertson for first place, he has accomplished the feat in over half of Baines’ career games.

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Alexander-Arnold, who now ranks third all-time in the Premier League with 45 assists, is also famous for his inventiveness when playing right back.

The pair have previously spoken about their competitive rivalry in the assists table, with Robertson indicating they use it to push each other on.

“We both do this competition to get the best out of each other,” Robertson said in 2020. “It’s obviously going to be tough to continue those numbers but that’s our aim and hopefully we can do that.”

Robertson added earlier this year: “We have a friendly competition but if both of us are contributing and helping the team win games, then that is the most important thing.”

After struggling with inconsistent play at times during the first half of the season, Liverpool’s victory over Villa on Monday helped them cut the gap in the Champions League spots.

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Andy Robertson named the best Liverpool signing under Jurgen Klopp, claiming that Mohamed Salah has been Klopp’s best signing for the club

Salah and Robertson joined the team in the same summer of 2017, and together they have won every title the Red devils has to give.

Following that summer of arrivals, Klopp’s side went on to reach three of the next five Champions League finals – winning in 2019 – along with the 2020 Premier League title.

Salah signed a new contract this summer to prolong his stay until the summer of 2025. During his time at the club, he has proven himself to be a world-class player, scoring 170 goals in 275 games.

The first summer of Klopp’s tenure at Anfield saw the additions of Sadio Mane, Wijnaldum, and Matip. The next summer saw the arrivals of Salah, Robertson, and Oxlade-Chamberlain. The following January saw the significant purchase of Virgil van Dijk.

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Since then, many players have been brought in, including Alisson, Fabinho, Diogo Jota, Thiago, Ibrahima Konate, and Luis Diaz, as well as this summer’s additions of Darwin Nunez and Carvalho. Despite all of these additions, Salah continues to be the star signing.

Robertson acknowledges the importance of the additions of Van Dijk and Alisson in that run but feels that the forward stands out above the rest due to the goal-scoring records he set.

Robertson explained on Pitch Side: “We’ve had good ones to be fair, we’ve had a lot of good ones,” Robertson said. “Obviously, Virgil was a big one, Alisson was a big one, but I think it’s got to be Mo with the records he’s set and stuff like that.

“I was signed the same summer as him and not as much hype was made about me than him. He had a great run and he’s not really stopped.”

Alongside winning seven trophies in five years at Liverpool, Salah has also helped himself to a number of individual awards across that timespan.

He has won the PFA Players’ Player of the Year award twice, the FWA Footballer of the Year award once, and the Premier League Golden Boot three times total.

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