Liverpool left-back Andy Robertson has insisted that Liverpool has gained a reputation in the European continent that makes them a team to avoid in the knockout stages of the elite Champions League tournament.
The Reds remain on course to defend their continental crown after beating Salzburg 2-0 on Tuesday night to secure a place in Monday’s last-16 draw for the Champions League in Nyon.
Jurgen Klopp’s outfit beat domestic rivals Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 in last season’s finale, a year on from losing to La Liga giants Real Madrid in the showpiece fixture.
And having finished top of their Group E, Liverpool can face one of Real Madrid, Atalanta, Atletico Madrid, Borussia Dortmund or Lyon in the next round of the continental competition.
However, the 25-year-old flying left-back Andrew Robertson believes each of those sides would rather dodge a trip to Anfield as the reigning champions of Europe aim to reach the final of the prestigious tournament for a third year running.
While speaking to reporters, the Scottish defender has revealed why no team would like to face Liverpool mainly due to the respect that the team has earned, “That is the atmosphere we have created in the last two years – a team which has been to the final twice and we are respected in this tournament. Maybe the first season when we went to the final, I don’t think we were really respected until after we went to Porto and washed them away. We did not get the respect we deserved. Now, we know we are respected in Europe. No one will want us but everyone who gets into the last 16 will fancy themselves.”
