Liverpool FC defender Jack Robinson bidding for first-team role
JACK ROBINSON is ready to put his injury woes behind him and stake a claim for the left-back spot at Liverpool. The 18-year-old, who remains the youngest ever player to feature for the Reds, was forced to sit out most of last season. Robinson underwent surgery on his foot last November and after a lengthy rehab his hopes of a first team comeback were dashed by a groin problem. However, the Warrington-born England youth international is now fully fit and ready to challenge Jose Enrique for a place in Brendan Rodgers’ side.
“It’s great to be back playing after what happened last season,” he said. “I hardly got to play at all last season. But now I’m back under the new manager and it’s just unbelievable to be part of this squad.
“Growing up as a kid this is what I wanted and now I’m in it I don’t want to leave it.”
Remarkably, Robinson’s senior Liverpool career has already spanned four managers. It was Rafa Benitez who handed him his debut as a late substitute against Hull City on the final day of the 2009/10 season. Aged 16 years and 250 days, Robinson became the youngest player to make a first team appearance for the club. He didn’t feature under Roy Hodgson but Kenny Dalglish brought him on at Arsenal in April 2011 and Robinson impressed as he nullified the threat of Theo Walcott.
A full home debut against Birmingham followed and Robinson played in two Carling Cup ties early last term before the injuries struck. He played 45 minutes in the 1-1 draw with Toronto FC last Saturday and should feature against Roma in Boston tomorrow night.
The youngster believes his attacking mentality is the ideal fit for the new system. “The manager has explained to all of us what he wants this season,” Robinson added. “He has said that if you are good enough, you work hard and you’re attitude is right then you’ll get a chance. “I like the way Brendan wants us to play and he’s been great to work with. He has the full-backs pushing on which is what I like to do. “There’s a lot of pressing high up the field. You have to drive forward and drive back. I just need to get that chance to show the manager what I can do.”
JACK ROBINSON is ready to put his injury woes behind him and stake a claim for the left-back spot at Liverpool. The 18-year-old, who remains the youngest ever player to feature for the Reds, was forced to sit out most of last season. Robinson underwent surgery on his foot last November and after a lengthy rehab his hopes of a first team comeback were dashed by a groin problem. However, the Warrington-born England youth international is now fully fit and ready to challenge Jose Enrique for a place in Brendan Rodgers’ side.
“It’s great to be back playing after what happened last season,” he said. “I hardly got to play at all last season. But now I’m back under the new manager and it’s just unbelievable to be part of this squad.
“Growing up as a kid this is what I wanted and now I’m in it I don’t want to leave it.”
Remarkably, Robinson’s senior Liverpool career has already spanned four managers. It was Rafa Benitez who handed him his debut as a late substitute against Hull City on the final day of the 2009/10 season. Aged 16 years and 250 days, Robinson became the youngest player to make a first team appearance for the club. He didn’t feature under Roy Hodgson but Kenny Dalglish brought him on at Arsenal in April 2011 and Robinson impressed as he nullified the threat of Theo Walcott.
A full home debut against Birmingham followed and Robinson played in two Carling Cup ties early last term before the injuries struck. He played 45 minutes in the 1-1 draw with Toronto FC last Saturday and should feature against Roma in Boston tomorrow night.
The youngster believes his attacking mentality is the ideal fit for the new system. “The manager has explained to all of us what he wants this season,” Robinson added. “He has said that if you are good enough, you work hard and you’re attitude is right then you’ll get a chance. “I like the way Brendan wants us to play and he’s been great to work with. He has the full-backs pushing on which is what I like to do. “There’s a lot of pressing high up the field. You have to drive forward and drive back. I just need to get that chance to show the manager what I can do.”
