08/03/2026

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Evergreen Robbo Liverpool boss Slot hails veteran defender after FA Cup win over Wolves

LIVERPOOL head coach Arne Slot praised the enduring quality of Andy Robertson after the veteran defender scored one and created another for Mohamed Salah in the 3-1 FA Cup fifth-round win at Wolves. The Scotland captain, who turns 32 next week, made the crucial breakthrough against the hosts’ massed ranks in the 51st minute with a 25-yard drive and then less than three minutes later crossed for his teammate to fire into the roof of the net. Curtis Jones added the third to render Hwang Hee chan’s added-time consolation academic. “If you talk about a goal and an assist, the first player you think about is probably not a full-back,” said Slot of Robertson, who could possibly have left the club in January after a bid from Tottenham. “He loves the club and he loves to play in front of these fans. Robbo has in the one and-a-half years I am here given everything for the club and the fans will say he did it in all the years I was not here. “He tries to give his best, defending well, calm with a lot of composure on the ball.” Robertson also played an important supporting role behind 17-year-old Rio Ngumoha, who put in a man of-the-match performance in only his fifth senior start for the club as one of four changes from the dreadful 2-1 League defeat at Molineux on Tuesday. “I think it is special if you are 17 and you played in a Premier League game – I know it is FA Cup but two Premier League teams – and are able to impact it in one v one situations,” Slot added. “In my opinion he did bet ter than three days ago (when he came on as a substitute) because he kept the ball more. “Today he was even better in moments when he had to keep the ball. It’s a nice game as you face five defenders (so)

defensively you don’t have to do as much and can use all your energy for the attacking part.” Wolves head coach Rob Edwards accepted it was too much for his side to go head to-head against Liverpool twice in four days. “Not a tough one to take, the better team won. They were really good tonight and it was hard for us. No qualms or excuses, their level was excellent,” he said. “At half-time I was rela tively happy, we were limiting them to long-range shots, but not too many efforts, and the most frustrating thing for me was the timing of the second goal, that was the killer. “We needed to remain in it longer and that second one was really frustrating. That is the thing I am most disap pointed in. “A double-header against Liverpool is hard. For us to win one of those we have to take that as a big positive. “We tried tonight, but their level went up and they made it very difficult.” Liverpool’s Premier League title defence may well have ended months ago – but they still have a chance to save their season. With a Champions League last-16 tie against Galatasaray to come – starting with Wednesday’s (1.45am Malaysian time) first leg in Turkey – all is most certainly not lost. “Slot’s still got a wonderful opportunity to do something special,” said ex-Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy on BBC One. “I know it’s unlikely with the way they’re playing because they’re so inconsis tent. “He’s got to stay positive and try cutting out the noise. There’s a lot of questioning of him from fans and journalists – he’s got to keep calm. “But after the next six to eight weeks we’ll know where we’re at with Liverpool.” – The Independent/Agencies

Liverpool’s Andy Robertson (left) challanges for a header against Wolves’ Mateus Mane during the FA Cup fifth-round match at Molineux yesterday. – AFPPIC

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