Liverpool defender’s peformance against Southampton justifies Jurgen Klopp’s ‘bit strange’ verdict

Jurgen Klopp has become peevish on several occasions this season when asked about Liverpool's left-back situation.

He's been quizzed on the topic and each time given a similar answer.

Left-back battle

The battle for the left-back role has been brought during various press conferences because of the emergence of Kostas Tsimikas.

After making just seven appearances in all competitions last term, the Greek's found his feet at Anfield.

Impressively, in his 10 outings so far this time around, the Reds have not lost. In fact, Liverpool have won every match bar a 1-1 draw against Premier League leaders Chelsea.

Because of that, there have been calls from some quarters for Tsimikas to become first-choice at Anfield.

Andy Robertson's form has been somewhat up and down, having failed to consistently hit the heights he's reached in the past few years.

However, Klopp's always made it clear that he regards Robertson as not only the best left-sided full-back on Merseyside but in the world.

The Liverpool boss has never lost faith and, in fact, been baffled why people have forgot how good the Scotland international is.

“Robbo is Robbo and Robbo, it's a bit strange that people constantly forget how good Robbo is in these moments just because Kostas is good as well,” Klopp told reporters on Friday.

"Thank god he is good as well, imagine that, we'd have a proper problem there.”

Robertson’s performance in the thrashing of Southampton was a stark reminder and underlined why Klopp’s been confused by such opinion.

Rampant display

When Robertson came off the bench in Wednesday's 2-0 win over Porto in the Champions League, he left plenty of Kopites purring.

And on his return to the starting line-up after a hamstring problem, Robertson was back to his barnstorming best in the 4-0 victory over the Saints.

The thrust, energy and quality that has been lacking at times were there in abundance.

From the outset, the former Hull City defender was flying up the flank. A piercing run in the second minute allowed him to break free, collect Sadio Mane's inch-perfect pass and cut a ball back for Diogo Jota to open the scoring.

Robertson's partnership with Mane has been a fundamental reason behind Liverpool's success under Klopp. They've forged a seamless rapport and relish linking up.

It looked like they'd combined in the 12th minute when Robertson's wicked free-kick found the head of Mane to guide home. It was chalked off because of a razor-thin offside decision.

In the second half, the Reds' performance naturally wilted to an extent after going four goals to the good. They could afford to apply the handbrake ahead of the Merseyside derby against Everton on Wednesday.

Yet Robertson was still marauding forward. Every opportunity he got to foray, he snatched it.

Indeed, the 27-year-old would have been just as unhappy he didn't go away with a hat-trick of assists as much as Jota didn't take home the match ball.

The Portuguese really should have notched his third goal when picked out inside the six-yard box from Robertson's teasing cross but poked wide.

That's a stat

Robertson's stats underlined a magnificent all-round performance.

In total, he created four goalscoring chances - the most of any player - and had the fourth most touches with 80.

His defensive work to keep a third successive clean sheet shouldn't go unsaid, either.

He made two clearances, one interception and was not dribbled past.

For too long, there was too much of a burden on Robertson and not enough cover.

Now with Tsimikas fully competent and trusted, Klopp can afford to rotate when required and hand Robertson a breather.

But anyone who had doubts about who should be No.1 may not any longer. It’s Robertson.