Andy Robertson showed his trademark competitiveness during Liverpool’s training session at the AXA Training Centre ahead of their Champions League trip to Eintracht Frankfurt.
The mood at Liverpool’s AXA Training Centre on Tuesday afternoon wasn’t one of crisis or confrontation, despite what a brief training-ground clip might suggest.
It was, instead, the familiar tension of elite competition the sort that bubbles up naturally when standards are high and results are not.
Andy Robertson’s moment of visible frustration during Tuesday’s session, caught by club cameras ahead of the Reds’ flight to Germany, was just that: a moment. Nothing more, nothing less. As Liverpool prepared for a must-win Champions League clash against Eintracht Frankfurt.
The left-back, one of the most vocal and driven figures in Arne Slot’s squad, was taking part in a reaction sprint drill alongside Cody Gakpo and Florian Wirtz. The exercise designed to test reflexes and acceleration involved players reacting to a coach’s call, grabbing a tennis ball from a cone, and racing to a finish line.
Robertson, never one to hold back in training, clearly believed he’d won his race. When the coach awarded the win elsewhere, the Scot let out a brief expletive in frustration and threw the tennis ball to the ground before walking away to reset.
For those who know Robertson’s personality and competitive edge, it was typical of his training-ground intensity a momentary release rather than a tantrum. Within seconds, he was back laughing with teammates, participating in the next drill.
The flash of emotion comes at a time when Liverpool are facing one of their sternest tests in recent years. Four consecutive defeats against Crystal Palace, Galatasaray, Chelsea and Manchester United have left the reigning Premier League champions searching for rhythm and conviction.
The loss to Manchester United at Anfield, their first home defeat to their fiercest rivals in nearly a decade, was symbolic a performance that underscored Liverpool’s current malaise.
Arne Slot, though not yet under direct pressure, is acutely aware that another setback in Frankfurt would heighten scrutiny and spark serious questions about his reign.
Tuesday’s training session carried extra importance. The focus was on intensity, reaction, and togetherness themes Slot has been hammering home in recent weeks.
Virgil van Dijk led the warm-up drills, setting the tone with sharp movement and vocal encouragement. His leadership remains a steadying force in a period when Liverpool are fighting to rediscover their identity. Wataru Endo returned to full training after a minor knock, while Alisson continued indoor work as he nears full fitness.
Later in the afternoon, the squad travelled to John Lennon Airport to board their flight to Frankfurt though a minor technical issue delayed departure by over an hour. The disruption forced the cancellation of the club’s pre-match press conference, with Slot and Dominik Szoboszlai set to address the media
Liverpool’s trip to Germany could prove pivotal. A fifth consecutive defeat would deepen what has already been their most difficult period since 2014, when Brendan Rodgers’ side endured a similar slump. But internally, there is still confidence that the tide can turn quickly.
Liverpool know they need a performance in Frankfurt not just for the result, but to remind themselves of who they are. The recent run has dented confidence but not belief.
Robertson’s outburst was a symptom of that drive. For Slot, it’s exactly the kind of passion he’ll hope to see channelled when Liverpool step out under the lights in Frankfurt.
