Former Liverpool left-back Jose Enrique cannot understand why Real Madrid’s Marcelo was selected in the FIFPro World XI ahead of Andy Robertson.
The Brazilian has been so bad in 2019 that his club dropped him and spent huge money on Ferland Mendy as his replacement – and Brazil didn’t pick him for the Copa America – either.
Yet somehow, he was named as one of the world’s best four defenders for the calendar year by coaches and captains of international sides worldwide.
Enrique, like everybody else, in fairness, has scoffed at the decision – explaining why Robbo is so effective in tandem with Sadio Mane.
“He is unbelievable. I’ve said it before, for me, last year he was the best left-back in the world,” he told Sky Sports.
“I know that was given to Marcelo but that was not fair in my opinion. Not just because Liverpool won the Champions League but because he has been an amazing player for Liverpool.
“He gives so much to that side. And him and [Sadio] Mane together [on Liverpool’s left] – I wouldn’t want to be on the right side for the other team.”
Robbo had a difficult time on international duty with Scotland, for whom he captains and gets unjust stick from supporters for how poor the team is in general – but at Liverpool – he’s loved.
He’ll start at Old Trafford on Sunday and we’re backing him to have a serious influence.
The 25-year-old missed the same fixture last term and James Milner didn’t have the same kind of creative influence down the left.
Hopefully Robbo can show us what we missed and help put Ole Gunnar Solksjaer’s side to the sword.