Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson has outlined why Andy Robertson’s journey to become “the best in the world in his position” is not a “fairytale.”
Now Scotland captain, Robertson’s career is often depicted as a footballing rags-to-riches story.
The Glaswegian started in his home city with amateurs Queen’s Park and worked on the tills at the Marks & Spencer store on Sauchiehall Street as well as doing odd jobs for the Scottish FA who were based at Hampden Park where his club side played their home matches.
Robertson revealed that his duties once included showing an injured Vincent Kompany to his seat and handing him a match programme ahead of an international between Scotland and Belgium.
However, Henderson insists that it’s not a sprinkling of magic that got his team-mate to where he is now.
Speaking in his programme notes ahead of Liverpool’s Carabao Cup fourth round tie with Arsenal, the Reds skipper said: “The Robbo that arrived at Liverpool, back in the summer of 2017, is different to the one today. But that doesn’t mean he’s 'changed' as a person.
“He still has the same personality and character, but he’s developed as a professional to the point I think he’s the best in the world in his position at this moment in time.
“The Robbo that arrived probably didn’t believe in himself enough – well actually, he definitely didn’t.
“He certainly had doubts he had to overcome – self doubts, I mean – pressure he would have put on himself, unfair pressure.
“We all do it. I can associate with that, as I’m sure the vast majority of our players can.
“It’s how you react to it that defines you. For whatever reason his career is sometimes described as a ‘fairytale’ and I get why that irks him.
“It’s not because he finds it demeaning to himself – it’s because of the message it sends to other young professionals who will suffer setbacks and have challenges to overcome.”
Henderson – who battled back to succeed Steven Gerrard as Liverpool captain after Brendan Rodgers had earlier wanted to sell him to Fulham as a makeweight in a potential deal to bring Clint Dempsey to Anfield – added: “Football – and professional sport in general – is full of people who fail before they succeed.
“And by ‘fail’ I don’t mean because they weren’t good enough in that moment or had made some personal mistake.
“Being let go by the academy you’re at, falling out of favour at your club or with a specific coach – or simply someone making a judgement, their judgement, that you are not good enough in that moment.
“I can tell you now – this will have applied at some point to every single player in our dressing-room.
“To come back from those moments doesn’t require a miracle. It takes talent, determination and persistence. And luck and having people to help and support you.
“I would say this reflects real life and not a fairytale.”
Henderson believes that Robertson’s resolute character was shown in Liverpool’s previous game, also against Arsenal, in the Premier League on Monday night.
His error enabled Alexandre Lacazette to put the visitors ahead but with Jurgen Klopp’s men battling back to triumph 3-1, Robertson netted their second goal.
Henederson said: “Just look at Monday night's game against Arsenal. Robbo is involved in us conceding the first goal, but instead of going under because of that he focuses on what positive effect he could have on the rest of the game and scores the goal that gets us in front.
“That’s typical of the player and person he is. But he’ll be the first to admit getting to the point of having that mentality, of not negatively dwelling on a mistake, has taken time and help.”
Meanwhile, Henderson has also joked about Robertson’s new book Robbo: Now You're Gonna Believe Us: Our Year, My Story , in which he speaks about his team-mate in less-flattering prose.
He said: “When I first heard that Andy Robertson was involved in bringing out a book my immediate reaction was whether it would be easier being coloured in with crayons or felt-tip?
“But in fairness to him, having had a chance to sit down and read it, he’s done a cracking job in telling a lot of the stories from last season.”
