Andy Robertson explains how Trent Alexander-Arnold pushes him to new heights

Andy Robertson says his friendly ‘rivalry’ with team-mate Trent Alexander-Arnold is driving both of them on to new heights.

And the Liverpool defender believes a now long-standing competition between the pair to see who can deliver the most assists for the Reds, can set yet more impressive records in English football.

Alexander-Arnold pipped the Scotland captain by one assist, in setting a new all time high for defenders in the Premier League with 13 last season, as Liverpool romped to the title.

But it is Robertson who has hit the ground running this time around, with an assist for Virgil van Dijk against Leeds on the opening weekend, and he said: “ These last two seasons we’ve shown that we can take the numbers to a whole new level for full-backs, especially with Trent breaking the record for a full-back.

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Liverpool got their title defence off to a shaky start as they edged out a seven-goal thriller against Leeds.

The Reds remain keen on Bayern Munich's Thiago Alcantara, but Georginio Wijnaldum continues to be linked with Barcelona.

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“We both do this competition to get the best out of each other. It’s obviously going to be tough to continue those numbers but that’s our aim and hopefully we can do that.”

Alexander-Arnold has set the record for assists from a Premier League defender for the past two seasons, and finished only behind Kevin De Bruyne for overall assists last time around.

Each time, Robertson was one behind, and he explained that their friendly competition is hugely important for the Reds.

“Both of us making chances and creating goals is a big part of how we play and we get a lot of joy from it,” he said.

“So long that may continue. If I’m anywhere close to him this season then I think we’ll have both had a successful season because I can’t see him not assisting with goals.”

Liverpool meanwhile, have parked their title triumph, according to midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, because of their desire to be serial winners.

The England star says every single member of the squad wants to be remembered for being part of a truly special team, by lifting even more trophies, after their amazing haul of four in a year.

“It’s one thing to win something once, but to do it consistently, season on season, is what makes a team special,” he said.

“Look at the greatest teams in history, the Liverpool teams of old who have made this club what it is, they did it every year, not just once. That’s our main goal.”

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