NewsAndy Robertson: I will be ready when called upon

The newly appointed vice-captain has been named on the bench for each of the Reds’ opening four games of the campaign, with summer signing Milos Kerkez filling the left-back spot so far.

Now into his ninth year with the club, two-time Premier League champion Robertson feels in ‘really good shape’ after a summer of hard work and preparation, and is primed to contribute when deployed by Arne Slot.

Speaking at a press conference on international duty with Scotland, the No.26 said: “It’s not been awkward, I don’t think awkward is the right word. I think it has been difficult for different reasons, I’m used to playing pretty much every game.

“I’ve had eight years at Liverpool where apart from the very start, I was always a starter, I was always playing. And now the first three [Premier League] games, I’ve obviously found myself on the bench, which is what it is.

“I had time to think over the summer as to what I wanted. I made a decision and I still believe that if I keep doing what I’m doing then I’ll play a lot of games for club and country. And that’s my main focus this season.

“My main focus is, when called upon, to produce as well as I can for Scotland and to produce as well as I can for Liverpool.

“Hopefully I can look back in the summer that I’m heading to a World Cup and I’ve maybe got a couple more trophies in my back pocket as well.”

Robertson continued: “It was the first summer ever that I’ve probably had to think about my future, it has always been nailed on as to where I’m going to be and what my position looks like.

“For the first time I probably had to consider different things and I did that with my family, and ultimately we came to the conclusion that our hearts were still at Liverpool and it was a decision to stay.

“We committed to that and it’s one I don’t regret and I’m happy about. In the close-season I’ve worked probably harder than I’ve ever worked, and in pre-season I’ve come back in really good shape, felt strong and felt really good in pre-season. I think I showed that in training and games.

“The start of the season is always a bit difficult, there’s only a game week to week. Obviously we’ve got off to a really good start, three [wins] out of three [in the Premier League] so from a manager’s perspective there’s not much reason to change anyone’s position really.

“When we get back we have pretty much three games every week from the Sunday we get back until the next international break. So, I’m sure there will be a bit more rotation. Whether it happens in my position is yet to be seen, none of us can look into the future.

“But I believe I’ve done everything I can to be in the manager’s thoughts and that’s all I can do.”