Robertson ‘couldn’t believe’ the ’embarrassing’ Liverpool defeat

Liverpool defender Andy Robertson labelled his side’s incredible 7-2 thrashing at Aston Villa as “embarrassing” and “not acceptable”.

The shell-shocked Premier League champions were 4-1 down at half-time at Villa Park on following an Ollie Watkins hat-trick and John McGinn effort. Ross Barkley and Jack Grealish, netting a brace, then added to the hosts’ tally after the break.

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It was the first time Liverpool – whose goals came at 2-0 and 5-1 down via Mohamed Salah – had conceded seven in a match since 1963.

Robertson said on Liverpool’s official website: “At times we couldn’t believe it, to be honest.

“We weren’t good enough. We never won our second balls, we never won our challenges, we never scored from the chances we did create. All credit goes to Aston Villa, unfortunately. They were better than us.

“Every competition on the pitch they won and when that happens you’re never going to win a game of football. That result as a Liverpool player is embarrassing.”

Watkins netted the opener in the fourth minute as Villa punished an error by Reds goalkeeper Adrian, setting the tone, and Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp said afterwards that “pretty much everybody made massive mistakes around the goals.”

Robertson said: “We made far too many mistakes that ended up in goals. We were well short, well below par.”

The Scotland left-back added: “We were 4-1 down in the first half and this Liverpool side believes that we could have come back – of course we did.

“But the fact we then go out and concede as many goals in the second half as well, that scoreline becomes embarrassing when you play for this club, it’s not acceptable and that’s something we all have to deal with.

“We need to go away for two weeks now (for the international break) and then we’ve got a Merseyside derby (at Everton on October 17).

“Look, the lads will be ready for that. It’s up to us to be as fit and fresh as possible with all the international games, but we’ll stick together and make sure this performance hopefully never happens again.”