Andy Robertson has admitted having to make "sacrifices" in order to help Liverpool surge back into Champions League contention this season.
The Scottish left back has become a mainstay at Anfield under Jurgen Klopp, ever since signing from Hull for just £8 million in July 2017. Indeed, his foraging runs forward have become a feature of the dynasty built by the German, which has seen The Reds win the Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup, and World Club Cup under his tenure.
This season has represented a difficult one though, until a recent resurgence that has seen the Reds win six straight league games to move back into contention for a top four finish. Part of their upturn in form has been credited to deploying Trent Alexander-Arnold in a more advanced midfield role, with the right back starring in their 3-0 win at Leicester on Monday.
That's meant a more conservative style of play from Robertson, who has now played 266 times in all competitions for Liverpool. But he's insisted he's prepared to adapt in order to aid his side: "Yeah, it’s different, maybe a little bit more conservative," he told the official Liverpool FC website.
"Obviously previously maybe we’re used to being more high and wide and offering runs in behind and kind of things like that, but we have obviously tweaked the system a little bit and sometimes you have to make sacrifices and you have to adapt your role a little bit, and I think I’ve managed to do that. It’s been a kind of back three as such and then Trent going in next to Fabinho. As long as the team is winning then everything is fine – that’s the most important thing."
Liverpool host Aston Villa on Saturday before their final game of the season, a trip to Southampton on Sunday, May 28. And the 29-year-old has vowed to still play a part in his side's attacking play as they bid to get six points, a scenario which would still leave them reliant on slips ups from either Newcastle or Manchester United.
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"Of course, I still try to get involved in attacks, I still want to overlap my winger and things like that but I just need to pick and choose my moments," he added. "I think as the games have gone on I’ve got better at picking and choosing the moments, I’ve adapted to the role a lot better.
"There’s probably two different sides of my game depending on what formation we play. But I feel as if I have adapted well to it and, like I said, as long as we keep on winning and we keep progressing as a team then I’ll happily be doing that job."
Robertson has tasted Europe's premier football competition in all six of his seasons with Liverpool, starting their 2018/19 final win over Spurs in Madrid. He also played in both of Klopp's final defeats in Real Madrid, firstly in his debut season with Liverpool in Kyiv and then last year in Paris.
