Liverpool will be in Kiev at the end of this month to take on Real Madrid for the 2018 Champions League.
Despite losing 4-2 in the Stadio Olimpico to Roma on Wednesday night, their 5-2 victory over them at Anfield eight days earlier ensured a passage to the final with a 7-6 aggregate scoreline.
It’s been a remarkable journey for Jürgen Klopp’s side, who had to see off German club Hoffenheim in a qualifier last August just to be involved in the competition.
At that time, Andy Robertson had barely been at the club for a month. Arriving from Hull City last July, the Scottish international has – to the surprise of many – become one of the success stories of Liverpool’s season, making the left-back position his own.
It's easy to heap praise on Salah, Mane and Firmino, but Robertson's recent performances simply can't be overlooked | @SmnLlyd5 https://t.co/mNmRUtQrH9
— FootballJOE (@FootballJOE) February 26, 2018
As Liverpool sealed their spot in Kiev, the 24-year-old turned in another impressive showing and was widely praised by the club’s supporters.
Undoubtedly, Robertson has come a long way – not just this season, but in the last few years. Another reminder of that came as many Liverpool supporters shared a tweet sent by him in August 2014. Just 18 at the time, and before his first season in the first team at Queen’s Park, Robertson had remarked on how life was ‘rubbish with no money’.
life at this age is rubbish with no money #needajob
— Andy Robertson (@andrewrobertso5) August 18, 2012
One of those to pick up on the tweet was his teammate, Simon Mignolet. Shortly after Liverpool’s players returned to Merseyside, the goalkeeper quoted the tweet with a message to Robertson.
‘Started from the bottom, now he’s the left back of a Champions League finalist,’ he wrote. ‘Perfect example of how determination is the best asset in everything you do in life.’
Started from the bottom, now he’s the left back of a @ChampionsLeague finalist! Respect @andrewrobertso5 👏🏼 Perfect example of how determination is the best asset in everything you do in life. 💪🏼 https://t.co/IeAfMuoJYF
— Simon Mignolet (@SMignolet) May 3, 2018
Prior to flying to Kiev, Liverpool will close their Premier League season with this weekend’s match against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and a home fixture with Brighton a week later.
