Andy Robertson has hailed Arne Slot’s impact during his first season at Liverpool despite losing in the Carabao cup final.
Speaking at the Chase football coaching programme, Robertson said: ‘I’ve learned a lot about Arne Slot this season. You know, obviously, not knowing too much about him before he came in, I think quite quickly, and obviously him replaced a club legend and an iconic figure was never going to be easy, but I think he’s done unbelievable.
‘I think he’s, he’s taken to the club like a duck to water. And you know, it was a seamless transition which not a lot of people probably expected outside the club. In the club we did expect it, especially with our first couple of meetings with him, our first phone calls, whatever happened over the summer.
‘Tactically he’s very good, but as a person he’s also very good and a bit different to Jürgen, I think Germans and Dutch are a wee bit different in terms of that, but it’s been great to see a different personality, a different person come into the club and I think he’s been a credit to himself so far, and hopefully it comes with a bit of success as well.’
Robertson, who under Klopp won both the Premier League and Champions League, praised the his former manager for his fatherly nature with the players.
He said: ‘Jürgen Klopp was unbelievable at it. He treated us all like sons really and you know, if there was problems then he would be one of the first to check in on you.
Andy Robertson has hailed Arne Slot’s impact since arriving at Anfield in the summer from Feyenoord
The Scot was brought to the club by legendary former manager Jurgen Klopp and established himself as one of the best full-backs in the world
‘Also the new manager now as well, this season we’ve had it with Arne Slot and yeah, I think for me that’s what makes a good coach, being able to, being that players can rely on you in difficult moments but also good moments.
‘I think they just show you support as well as a bit of love at times as well. I think when it comes to football, we’re all human beings. Sometimes we try and hide that at times. But, people think we’re robots.
‘But, sometimes we need a bit of that as well and I think, I’m very lucky when I look back on my whole career that I’ve had that in abundance.’
The Scottish left-back, who has been capped 81 times, regaled on how he was first discovered by Gordon Strachan during his time at Queen’s Park, and how it ignited his desire to play for Scotland.
‘The first time Gordon Strachan saw me, was when I trained with Scotland when Queen’s Park were sending numbers.
‘I was working in the kit room at the time and I got to train with them (Scotland) and that was the first time Gordon got to see me.
‘I thought about Scotland that day. Because I thought, when we trained with them, I want this.”
Scotland currently lead Greece 1-0 following their first leg in their Nations League play-off, and Robertson praised manager Steve Clarke’s achievement with the Scottish national team.
Robertson, who has been capped 81 times, regaled on how he was first discovered by Gordon Strachan
The 31-year-old, speaking at the Chase football coaching programme, was reunited with his first coach David McCallum
‘I think Steve Clarke’s brought a hell of a lot to the national team,’ he said.
‘First of all, success. You know, qualifying for two major tournaments now, which we hadn’t done in 20 years. So I think that was his remit when he first got the job but it was never going to be easy and obviously, managers before him hadn’t quite managed to reach that.
‘But we’ve managed that as a squad and it wouldn’t have been possible without him. That much is clear. He’s brought a togetherness within our squad.’
The former Queen’s park player reunited with his first coach David McCallum, and it was McCallum who played a pivotal role in Robertson becoming a left-back.
‘It was just a player review that we had with all the players at any given time,’ said McCallum. ‘We were sitting in the board room at Queen’s Park, and we’re talking about his best position.
‘So, Andy’s dad, Brian, genuinely felt his best position was central midfield, and that he was the best midfielder we had at the club at that time.
‘As staff, we naturally try and not be confrontational, but we tried to explain the reasons why we believe full-back was going to be his best position, and fortunately for us, we’ve not looked back.’