Michael Owen claims Liverpool full-back Andy Robertson 'has been pensioned off far too soon' and still 'has a lot to offer'

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Andy Robertson was back to his best against Wolverhampton Wanderers as he registered a goal and an assist to help Liverpool into the quarter-finals of the Emirates FA Cup. After the match, TNT Sports expert Michael Owen suggested that the full-back still has plenty left in the tank and that a lot of people have been too quick to write the Scotsman off.

Roberton deserves start over Kerkez after match-winning display - Owen

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Michael Owen has jumped to the defence of Andy Robertson after the defender's pivotal role in Liverpool's Emirates FA Cup victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers on Friday.

Robertson, 31, started his first game in five matches and scored a brilliant opener before setting up Mohamed Salah for The Reds' second in a comfortable 3-1 win.

The Scotland international is competing with Milos Kerkez, who Liverpool signed for around £40 million from Bournemouth with the view of becoming Robertson's long-term replacement, for a place at left-back in the team.

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TNT Sports pundit Michael Owen believes Robertson still has plenty more in the tank and said that many people have been too quick to write him off.

"The big question is, will he play instead of Kerkez? Because, of course, Kerkez was rested as well. I think he should personally. I think he’s been pensioned off far too soon by a lot of people. He’s got a lot to offer still," he said.

Robertson has arguably been one of the most successful transfers in Premier League history, having joined from Hull City for £8m in 2017.

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He played a huge role under legendary manager Jurgen Klopp to help lift the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, the FA Cup and two League Cups, before winning the top-flight again in Arne Slot's first season in charge.

Following the signing of Kerkez, Robertson has been limited to 17 Premier League appearances, while the Hungarian has played in all but two of Liverpool's league games.

However, Slot still believes that Robertson is "very valuable" for a number of reasons.

"First of all because of the quality he brings, second of all because of the personality he is," the Liverpool boss said.

"He hasn’t played as much [this season] as he would like to, although he has played quite a lot, but last season he played more. But we’ve signed another very good full-back in Milos Kerkez.

"But today Robbo had to play, and if he has to play he always shows up. He did really well today. The second goal was indeed a great assist, but a great lead-up to the goal, a great attack."

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Robertson has scored 13 goals in 369 appearances for Liverpool, and TNT Sports presenter Laura Woods informed viewers that three of those have come against Wolves.

"I don’t mind a goal here!" he joked. "I remember scoring here a couple of years back, and I think I scored in a home game as well.

"Wolves are obviously a good team for me to score goals, maybe that was in the back of my head."

He added: "It’s rare [for me to score]. Probably every Liverpool fan in the stadium expected it to go over the bar. It’s a rare one for me, but when you hit it, you’re just delighted to see it go in the back of the net at an important time of the game.

"Just delighted to get the goal, and then we go and get one so quickly after, which was probably the most important."

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