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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Mark Jones

Liverpool's often overlooked game-changer serves impressive reminder at Crystal Palace

You're never too far away from an article or seven praising Trent Alexander-Arnold.

And rightly so, of course.

The Liverpool 'right-back' is one of the talents of his generation, and continues to redefine his position whenever he plays for the Reds.

He was at it again on Thursday, teeing up Diogo Jota's two goals as he helped earn a place in his first ever domestic final.

The praise that came his way after that was fully expected and deserved, but it was his full-back partner who stole the show in Sunday's win over Crystal Palace.

Robertson was key to Liverpool's attacks in the first half (Joe Toth/REX/Shutterstock)

Andy Robertson is probably a bit more difficult to heap praise upon than Alexander-Arnold. What he does he does brilliantly, but there is a drop off in the style with which he does it.

The Scot is a lot more of a conventional full-back, bombing down the wing and getting forward to support his attack in the manner than many attempt, although few with his energy and enthusiasm.

Against Palace he was Liverpool's best attacking outlet in their blistering start, always available as he offered himself to Virgil van Dijk to the side of him and Curtis Jones and Diogo Jota ahead.

Liverpool's first goal was chiefly about the way that Van Dijk evaded his markers from a corner, but Robertson's delivery was inch perfect, and it was a just reward for the way he and his side had started the game.

The second assist was a perfect end to a perfect move, with much of it seemingly designed to get Robertson into the position from where he could deliver, with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain doing his best Mo Salah impression at the back post to make it 2-0.

Whether or not it was planned to give Robertson more of the ball after Alexander-Arnold took the attention on Thursday only Jurgen Klopp and his coaches know, but if it was then it came off to the letter.

The full-back teed up goals for Virgil van Dijk and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (Getty Images)

Robertson always seemed to be available early on, and was often able to showcase one of his lesser discussed qualities - his outright speed.

At times this has been an unusual season for the Scot.

Speaking to Mirror Football last month, he discussed how a pre-season injury and the form of his understudy Kostas Tsimikas has made this campaign a testing one at times.

Although Tsimikas - who was barely seen last season - has impressed when he has been called upon, with fans more than happy with the Greek's efforts, Robertson is by far and away the better player and one who is often so vital to the way that Liverpool play.

He was at the forefront of their efforts at Palace, at times dictating the game from left-back.

We've grown used to Alexander-Arnold doing that from the other side, but Liverpool's other full-back deserves all the praise he gets too.

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