Liverpool star Andy Robertson has expressed his delight at former Chelsea defender Filipe Luis tagging him ‘the best left-back in the world’.
Andy Roberston recalls his pride after Filipe Luis heaped praise on him when they clashed in the Club World Cup final.
The Scotland international faced the experienced Brazilian when Liverpool took on Flamengo in last year’s Club World Cup showdown.
The Reds found it difficult to break the Brazilian side all through the game and had to wait until the 99th minute for a breakthrough.
Roberto Firmino eventually got what was the only goal of that encounter. Robertson added yet another medal to his growing list at Liverpool
As it stands, many already tag the 26-year-old as arguably the best in his position.
But there was special pride for the left-back after getting nice words from a player he looked up to. Robertson looked up to former Atletico and Chelsea star Filipe Luis as an inspiration growing up.
And after they clashed in that Club World Cup final, the Liverpool man revealed what the veteran defender said to him.
Robertson said of that recognition in a new book called ‘Robbo: Now You’re Gonna Believe Us’ as quoted by Goal: “After the final whistle went I was determined to have a conversation with Flamengo’s full-back – but not Rafinha.”
“The two of us did exchange a couple of pleasantries on the pitch but it was the other full-back, Filipe Luis, who I wanted to catch up with.”
“Along with the likes of Patrice Evra, Ashley Cole and Jackie McNamara and Tom Boyd at Celtic, Luis was one of the players in my position who I had really looked up to.”
“I watched him a lot when he was with Atletico Madrid and loved everything about him.”
“I went over to him, commiserated about the result and was about to congratulate him for the unbelievable career he has had when he interrupted. ‘You’re the best left-back in the world,’ he said. Wow.”
Robertson added on how he felt so pleased at getting such words from someone who has played at the highest level.
“That meant everything and I spoke to Ali [Alisson] about Filipe afterwards as he’s one of his best friends in Brazil . He told me what a great guy he is.”
“It meant a lot to get that respect from someone who has done it at the highest level for so many years.”