Liverpool Have Already got an Andy Robertson Replacement Lined Up – Opinion | OneFootball

Transfers: Liverpool Need to Replace Andy Robertson

Over the course of the last 12 months or so it has become apparent that there is a need to rejuvenate the left-back position at Anfield. Robertson is now in his twilight years as a player and he has struggled at times to keep up with the pace and demands of that the role requires, especially in Arne Slot’s current system.

But while Liverpool will be open to replacing the Scotsman, it won’t be an easy task.

There are plenty of names being mentioned who are in the mix such as Antonee Robinson, Milos Kerkez or Alphonso Davies. But what if that perfect option was somebody already playing for Liverpool?

Why Owen Beck could be Andy Robertson’s perfect replacement

Yes, that’s right, the perfect replacement might now be a shiny new toy for Liverpool but a left-back who is already on the books at Anfield.

Owen Beck is currently out on loan at Blackburn, where he has caught the eye for a number of reasons based on statistical terms.

Photo: IMAGO

For one, he is playing in more than one position. In Blackburn’s 4-2-3-1 system, Beck has not just been used as a left-back but he’s also been deployed further forward as a left-winger as well interchanging with Blackburn’s other left-back, Harry Pickering and most recently playing in the role against Luton – where he scored.

Why Owen Beck is Different to Robertson

Despite playing further forward than Robertson, the key difference between Beck and the Scotsman is actually their defensive output. Playing for a team who are fighting for promotion in the Championship, Beck doesn’t have to defend a lot more frequently than Robertson, but his numbers and volumes are much higher.

As per FBref, Beck wins 1.70 tackles per 90 as opposed to Robertson who wins 0.86 per 90. Beck’s tackle percentage is 65.4% compared to Robertson’s 58.3%. The Welsh U21 international also averages more interceptions (1.34 per 90) as opposed to Robertson’s 0.52 per 90.

Meaning combined Beck averages 4.29 interceptions and tackles per 90, more than double that of Robertson this season (2.07 per 90). So, in terms of their profile, Beck is clearly a more effective defender this season. That is backed up by the numbers.

Photo: IMAGO

Admittedly, he is playing in a lower level in the Championship but he has age on his side at 22 years old, being almost 8 years younger than Robertson, who only joined Liverpool when he was 23 years old.

Offensive numbers and why context is important

Defensive numbers are important for full-backs in Slot’s more compact system, so the fact that Beck is performing so highly in them is admirable. However, as a modern day full-back, you also have to provide more than just defensive ability.

As a modern day full-back, you need output going forward and this is where we haven’t quite seen the best of Beck yet. Despite not scoring or assisting a goal this season, Andy Robertson actually averages an impressive 0.23 expected goals and assists per 90, which explains why it’s not the Scotsman’s offensive output that is the issue but rather the flaws in his defensive games.

Beck on the other hand, averages just 0.11 seemingly having the opposite problem to Robertson. However, numbers are not that simple. It’s also important to take a look at the context in which they are achieved.

Photo: IMAGO

In this case, a player’s offensive output will be massively impacted by the amount of times they touch the ball and Robertson indeed averages far more touches (77 per 90) than Beck (53.8 per 90). In fact, Robertson receives the ball (50.3 per 90) twice as often as Beck (25.4 per 90) in a game on average.

So, given that Beck is taking far fewer touches, his 0.11 expected goals and assists total is not a bad return. With the same amount of touches as Robertson, Beck’s offensive impact could easily improve based on the raw data in front of us.

Which is why Beck is a statistical gem, and someone Liverpool should seriously consider as a genuine option to replace Robertson as opposed to spending millions on the market.