Andy Robertson has moved one step closer to claiming the all-time Premier League assists record for a defender. The Scot whipped in a lovely ball which Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain headed home in front of The Kop yesterday.
That represented his 45th assist in the Premier League. It moved him clear of Graeme Le-Saux into second place in the all-time standings.
Only Leighton Baines has set up more than the Liverpool left-back. The former Everton captain has 53 to his name.
What is astounding is the number of games it has taken Robertson to rack up such a tally. It took Le-Saux 327 games to set up 43 goals and Baines 420 to hit 53.
In comparison, it has taken Robbo a paltry 203 games to get to 45. All but four of those have been for Liverpool. Unless it takes him another 217 to provide his teammates eight more goals, he will obliterate Baines’ record.
Full-back revolutionaries
Of course Robertson has competition for the record in the form of Trent Alexander-Arnold. Trent’s corner put the opener on a plate for Fabinho at Anfield yesterday.
That put him clear of Mohamed Salah at the top of this season’s assists table. He has 10 to Salah’s 9. It’s the third time in his career that the right-back has hit double figures in the Premier League.
It also took him to 43 all-time assists in the competition. That’s two behind his fellow “wingman”, with Le-Saux sandwiched in-between them.
Frighteningly, Trent has done it in just 148 games. That puts even Robertson to shame.
It’s fitting that these two will likely battle it out for top spot and leave everyone else far behind. The pair have redefined what it means to be a full-back in recent years.
They will no doubt be aware of each others position in the list. Their friendly battles to see who can assist more are well-known. The Scouser has often come out on top in those head-to-heads. But Robertson will be confident he can hold off his younger teammate for a little while at least.
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