Liverpool left-back Andy Robertson has said his first run-in with Eden Hazard was a chastening experience which he thought he’d never recover from.
The Scottish international was playing for Hull City at the time when he faced Chelsea, and he came up against the Belgian international at the height of his powers. Robertson says he simply couldn’t handle him:
“When I was at Hull I played against Hazard when he won the player of the year, and he ripped me apart at Stamford Bridge. It’s a game I never thought I’d recover from but luckily I did.”
Robertson has improved immeasurably as a player since then, especially in the defensive aspects of his game. He has been part of a defense over the last two seasons which has conceded just 43 goals in 67 league games; the best record of any top-flight team.
The 26-year-old’s candour is still refreshing, though, and it’s likely one of the reasons why he continues developing as a player as he acknowledges his faults, learns from his mistakes and is determined to make improvements.
Robertson will be looking to help maintain Liverpool’s excellent defensive record when the season resumes.