How Fulham’s Antonee Robinson has become the best left-back in the Premier League
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At Anfield on Saturday, there was what felt like a sliding-doors moment in the world of Premier League left-backs. If Fulham’s 2-2 draw against Liverpool was slightly surprising, a starring display from Antonee Robinson was not. Andy Robertson was sent off for Liverpool after 17 minutes and it was hard not to view the afternoon’s events as confirmation that Robinson has taken over as the best left-back in England.
Robinson assisted both Fulham goals in another brilliant performance. He is the most prolific assister of all defenders in the Premier League since the start of last season with 12, while only Bukayo Saka and Mohamed Salah have more than his six assists this term.
Salah was also given a reminder of Robinson’s quality at Anfield, successfully kept at bay by the America international for much of the affair. His manager, Marco Silva, said it was “difficult to express in words” how well Robinson had played against Liverpool.
“He’s been great for us again this season,” said Silva before the game. “Not only in our offensive process, in the defensive process as well. He’s a great athlete, always capable to go up and down”. That is shown by the fact he is averaging 8.5 sprints per match in the Premier League, bettered only by one defender: Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez.
The Premier League has seen fewer and fewer out-and-out left-backs in recent seasons, but Kerkez and Robinson stand out, as does Marc Cucurella (when he’s wearing the right studs). Manchester City have tended to rotate between Rico Lewis, Matheus Nunes and Josko Gvardiol on the left side, Arsenal between Jurrien Timber, Riccardo Calafiori and most recently 18-year-old Myles Lewis-Skelly.
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