Andy Robertson and Kyle Walker: A Tale of Two Cities
09/01/2025
By James Hadland
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<a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Liver-RM_(10).jpg">Антон Зайцев</a>, CC BY-SA 3.0 GFDL, via Wikimedia Commons
Fullbacks are crucial to modern football, tasked with both defensive duties and attacking contributions. However, the age and evolving roles of two prominent Premier League fullbacks, Kyle Walker of Manchester City and Andy Robertson of Liverpool, have come under scrutiny. Both players have enjoyed successful careers, but their performances in recent seasons reveal a concerning decline. While Walker’s flaws have directly impacted Manchester City's defensive struggles, Robertson’s errors have often been masked by the excellence of Liverpool’s defensive unit.
This article will compare the careers of these two fullbacks, focusing on the statistical differences between their current and past performances, and the impact their decline has had on their teams. I will also highlight a key moment in Robertson’s recent struggles—Saka’s goal in the 2-2 draw against Arsenal—to explore whether a younger, more athletic version of Robertson would have allowed that goal.
Kyle Walker’s Decline: A Weak Link for Manchester City
Kyle Walker was once known for his pace, reliability in defence, and his attacking forays down the right flank. He was a key cog in Manchester City’s defensive unit under Pep Guardiola, but recent performances have shown that his once-elite attributes are starting to erode. Walker, now 34 years old, has seen his pace diminish, and it’s clear that his mobility is no longer what it once was.
In a recent report, Football Insider stated that Manchester City's coaching staff is growing concerned about Walker’s performances. His weaknesses in defence—particularly his inability to keep up with the likes of Vinicius Jr. and Kylian Mbappé—have become more evident as City’s defensive record has slipped. Pep Guardiola has adjusted tactics to mask these weaknesses, but Walker has still been a noticeable liability. Walker’s decline has coincided with City’s overall defensive struggles, especially after their unprecedented spell of poor form, including five straight losses.
In terms of statistics, Walker’s defensive metrics have fallen off significantly. While precise data for Walker isn't included here, Football Insider reported concerns about his pace and attacking contribution, stating that his role as a dynamic fullback had been reduced.
Despite his leadership status—Walker is the club captain and remains a fixture in Guardiola’s system—his decline seems inevitable. City’s recent struggles with defensive solidity and being unable to cope with quick attackers can be attributed, in part, to Walker’s inability to keep up with the demands of the modern game. As City has now conceded 10 goals in the last three matches, Walker’s weaknesses have been further exposed.
Andy Robertson: Statistical Decline Yet Still Bailed Out by Teammates
On the other hand, Andy Robertson has remained a key figure for Liverpool, even though his performances have dropped compared to his peak years. Robertson's vital contributions in the 2019-2020 Champions League campaign made him one of the best left-backs in the world. His relentless energy and defensive prowess were crucial to Liverpool’s success.
Defensive Contributions:
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Tackles: Robertson averages 1.69 tackles per 90 minutes, placing him in the 33rd percentile. While still effective at making tackles, this number represents a slight drop from his prime where he was more aggressive and successful in defending.
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Tackles Won: With 1.11 tackles won per 90, Robertson remains somewhat solid in one-on-one situations, but the drop-off from earlier years is evident when compared to his performance in Liverpool's 2019-2020 Champions League-winning season (1.25 tackles won per 90).
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Dribbler Success: Robertson’s ability to deal with dribblers has also seen a decline. His 58.6% success rate against dribblers puts him in the 61st percentile, which means he is no longer as reliable when facing tricky wingers. His previous form was much more dominant in this category.
"Kyle Walker and Andy Robertson have both become weak links in their respective teams"
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Dribbler Success: Robertson’s ability to deal with dribblers has also seen a decline. His 58.6% success rate against dribblers puts him in the 61st percentile, which means he is no longer as reliable when facing tricky wingers. His previous form was much more dominant in this category.
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Dribbles Tackled: Robertson has been less successful at stopping attacking runs. He tackles 1.26 dribblers per 90 minutes, ranking in the 68th percentile—far below his previous high standards.
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Blocks and Interceptions: Robertson has not been as prolific in making interceptions or blocks either. With 0.55 interceptions per 90 minutes (14th percentile), his contribution in terms of preventing balls from progressing into dangerous areas is down. Additionally, his 0.64 blocks per 90 (4th percentile) is significantly lower than in the past.
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Clearances: While Robertson does manage 1.69 clearances per 90, this is a mediocre performance, ranking in the 18th percentile. Historically, his work rate and awareness in clearing the ball from danger areas have been more significant.
Despite these statistics, Robertson is still largely protected by the strength of Liverpool’s defensive unit, particularly Alisson, Virgil van Dijk, and Ibrahima Konaté. These players have covered for his errors on numerous occasions. However, as Jamie Carragher pointed out, Robertson is starting to ‘hang on in every game’. This observation is not just based on the eye test, but also statistical evidence that suggests Robertson is struggling with the demands of high-level fullback play.
Robertson’s Lapses in Defence: The Saka Goal and What It Reveals
One of the most glaring moments that exposed Robertson’s decline came in Liverpool’s 2-2 draw against Arsenal, when Bukayo Saka scored a brilliant goal after being allowed too much space by Robertson. The goal came after Saka made a clever run, exploiting a gap in Robertson’s defensive positioning. Robertson’s failure to track the winger or make a timely intervention showcased his diminishing sharpness and defensive instincts.
Would a 2020 version of Robertson have let that happen? The answer is likely no. In 2020, Robertson was known for his exceptional reading of the game and his ability to close down wide attackers before they could make an impact. He was far more aggressive in cutting out runs and making key interceptions. The 2020 Robertson would likely have tracked Saka more closely, either making a key challenge or forcing the Arsenal attacker into a more difficult angle to score.
The fact that Robertson has let such goals through is a worrying sign of his decline. His pace and reactivity have diminished, which has left him more susceptible to being beaten by fast and clever wingers like Saka.
Conclusion: Two Fullbacks, Different Challenges
Kyle Walker and Andy Robertson have both become weak links in their respective teams, but for different reasons. Walker's decline is more physical—his age has led to a loss of pace and defensive solidity, which has become a glaring weakness in Manchester City's defensive unit. His struggles have directly contributed to City’s poor defensive form, with recent reports highlighting that his performances are a concern for the coaching staff.
On the other hand, Robertson has benefited from the protection provided by Alisson, van Dijk, and Konaté, but his decline is more subtle. His statistics reveal a decrease in his defensive contributions, particularly in areas like blocking and interceptions. Furthermore, moments like Saka’s goal against Liverpool showcase that Robertson’s once-impeccable defensive positioning is no longer as sharp as it was in his prime.
While Robertson’s drop in form may not be as drastic as Walker’s, both players’ declines raise important questions about their roles in the future. For Manchester City, Walker’s shortcomings have been exposed, and they may need to look for a new right-back option in the coming seasons. For Liverpool, Robertson’s decline is being hidden by his teammates’ brilliance, but his defensive lapses cannot be ignored and a potential replacement or tactical adjustment might be on the horizon.
As both players navigate their declines, the changing landscape of fullbacks in the modern game will likely require Manchester City and Liverpool to consider future alternatives to maintain the level of excellence both clubs have become accustomed to.