Antonee Robinson could hardly have made a better impression on the Anfield crowd. Indeed, his performance for Fulham in a 4-3 defeat to Liverpool in early December was record-breaking, setting up Harry Wilson for a goal to become the first American to assist in three successive Premier League matches.
He also registered a record number of interceptions (13). “His game was top level,” said Fulham manager Marco Silva despite the defeat to Liverpool. “He was almost always in the right position for the 100 minutes we played.” The Cottagers suffered a loss on Merseyside, but Robinson couldn’t be blamed for this. He was arguably the best player on the pitch.
Robinson is currently playing the best football of his career and has been linked with a January switch to Liverpool. Jurgen Klopp requires a new left back after injuries to Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas and Robinson would fit the bill. Stylistically and tactically, it’s easy to envisage the USA international succeeding at Anfield.
While Robinson’s potential has been clear for a long time, he has taken a big leap forward in his development this season. Silva is using the American to funnel Fulham’s play into the attacking third with the 26-year-old relentless in his running. When Robinson receives the ball, his first thought is to move forward.
Crossing was once one of Robinson’s weaknesses, but he has worked a lot on this in recent times and can now be relied upon for a good delivery into the box. Raul Jimenez has benefited from this with the Mexican striker one of the best headers of the ball in the Premier League, and Robinson the supply line.
Klopp likes his full backs to get forward down the wide areas – Trent Alexander-Arnold and Robertson are two of the best attacking defenders in Europe. Liverpool are a team who like to move the ball forward at speed and Robinson would almost certainly be able to handle their trademark style of play.
The off-the-ball ability of Robinson is another quality that surely appeals to Klopp who likes his team to counter-press and win possession back high up the pitch. It would also be understandable if other managers and clubs are looking at the 26-year-old with a view to a transfer taking place in January.
At 26, Robinson is entering his peak years. Fulham are a Premier League team and have given the USMNT international a platform to demonstrate his quality in the strongest league in Europe, but Robinson is surely pondering another step up the ladder. It could be now or never for him to make the move to the elite level.
Fulham would reportedly want a fee of at least £40m for one of their best players. Robinson is under contract at Craven Cottage until 2028, so the Cottagers have done a good job of protecting the 26-year-old’s value. They are under no pressure to sell Robinson in the January transfer window, particularly because his exit would have an impact on their league form in the second half of the season.
A number of the USA’s so-called golden generation have struggled to reach maturity after bursting on to the scene at a young age. Christian Pulisic, for example, failed to make the grade at Chelsea while Weston McKennie was loaned out by Juventus last season. Sergino Dest and Gio Reyna are two more players who have toiled in a similar way over the last year or two.
Robinson, however, has been an exception. Not only is he thriving for his club, the left back has been one of the USMNT’s most consistent performers under Gregg Berhalter. Robinson is such an important part of the way the US play out from the back and move the ball into the final third of the pitch.
With the 2024 Copa America and 2026 World Cup on the horizon, Robinson will have ample opportunity to prove himself at the elite level of the international game and he might desire the same chance at club level. Liverpool might be the perfect fit for the American left back, but the way he’s playing right now, he would improve almost any team.
