Rodri described Scotland's style of play as "rubbish" after Spain fell to a surprise 2-0 defeat in Tuesday's Euro 2024 qualifier at Hampden Park, accusing Steve Clarke's hosts of time-wasting.

Scott McTominay scored early in both halves as Scotland maintained their perfect start in Group A, dealing Luis de la Fuente his first defeat since he replaced Luis Enrique as Spain boss.

While the result represents Spain's first European Championship qualification defeat since October 2014 (2-1 v Slovakia), it is also the first time La Roja have lost a game by more than a one-goal margin since Euro 2016 (2-0 v Italy).

Spain were visibly frustrated as Scotland produced a resolute defensive performance in Glasgow, with players from both teams involved in a series of altercations as the game went on.

Spain's stand-in captain Rodri was less than impressed with Scotland's display after the game, telling ViaPlay: "It's the way they play, in the end you have to respect it, but for me it's a bit rubbish.

"It's always wasting time, they provoke you, they always fall. This for me is not football. The referee says nothing and it's a bit frustrating because we want to win.

"It's difficult, because they waste time. But they have their weapons, and we will learn for the next time. 

"We wanted to go in the duels and the battles. We always fight, but this is not about fighting, it's about wasting time, it's about four or five players falling to the floor, those kinds of situations.

"These teams are always physically strong, but we have to use our weapons. We are good with the ball and have to move the ball quickly. Today we did many good things, but we didn't score."

Scotland skipper Andy Robertson disagreed with Rodri's assessment, believing Spain were guilty of play-acting in the early stages and praising his team-mates for winning the physical battle.

"I think they were going down a little bit easily. We were trying to say that [to the referee]," Robertson said.

"We were always going to try to be physical and we wanted to be in their faces, to win our challenges and win our headers. I think we did that and I don't think we crossed the line. 

"I think, especially in the first half, they were rolling around a bit much, they used their experience and got a couple of us booked, but I think we won that battle and got under their skin."

Scott McTominay predicted Scotland's fans will talk about Tuesday's win over Spain in 30 years' time after his brace helped the Tartan Army maintain their perfect start to Euro 2024 qualifying. 

Having also scored twice in Saturday's 3-0 win over Cyprus, McTominay netted in both halves as Scotland handed Luis de la Fuente his first defeat as Spain boss, triumphing 2-0 at a buoyant Hampden Park.

Scotland have now won their first two games of a World Cup/Euros qualification campaign for the first time since September 2006, putting them three points clear of Spain at the Group A summit.

Manchester United midfielder McTominay, meanwhile, has four goals in his last two international appearances after netting just once in his first 37.

Speaking after the full-time whistle, McTominay was aware of the significance of his second brace in three days, telling ViaPlay: "Look at this place. I've never seen anything like it, it's incredible!

"The manager said in his talk before we went out, 'This is your chance to make your own legacies as Scotland players'.

"These are the nights that in 20 or 30 years, people will remember, and they'll watch the game back and say, 'I was there'.

"That's what the game is about. These fans are amazing every time we come to Hampden and we can't thank them enough."

While the result provided a huge boost to Steve Clarke's hopes of leading Scotland to successive European Championships, the head coach is keen to ensure his players do not get carried away.  

Asked if Tuesday's victory was the best of his managerial career, Clarke said: "I've not had time to think about it or digest it yet, I'm just trying to get my voice back, to be honest!

"If you can produce a big result against one of the top teams in Europe, then people speak about it in years to come.

"The players were absolutely outstanding from the first minute to the last minute. It's a big night, it feels like a big step forward in what we're trying to do as a nation.

"But it's only six points, you don't qualify with six points. One bad game can always set you back, so we'll stay focused and keep our feet on the ground."

Liverpool are working to identify and ban the pitch invader who collided with their players during goal celebrations in Sunday's 7-0 win over Manchester United.

Jurgen Klopp's side claimed a record victory against their rivals as Cody Gakpo, Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah each scored braces on a stunning day at Anfield.

During the celebrations for Roberto Firmino's seventh goal of the game, however, a supporter ran onto the pitch to join the players, slipped and collided with Andy Robertson.

Liverpool left-back Robertson was knocked to the ground, and the incident prompted a furious reaction from Klopp, who could be seen shouting at the culprit as he was removed by security.

Further action is to come, the club confirmed in a statement on Monday.

"Liverpool FC has begun an immediate investigation to identify and ban the individual pitch runner from Sunday's Premier League fixture against Manchester United at Anfield," it read.

"The offender ran onto the pitch and collided with Liverpool players, risking injury, as they celebrated the seventh goal in front of the Main Stand.

"There is no excuse for this unacceptable and dangerous behaviour. The safety and security of players, colleagues and supporters is paramount.

"The club will now follow its formal sanctions process and has suspended the alleged offender’s account until the process is complete.

"If found guilty of the offence of entering the pitch without permission, the offender could face a criminal record and a lifetime ban from Anfield and all Premier League stadiums.

"These acts are dangerous, illegal and have severe consequences."

Mohamed Salah's record-breaking Premier League exploits with Liverpool are "no coincidence" to Jordan Henderson due to the forward's work ethic.

The Egypt international surpassed Robbie Fowler as Liverpool's all-time top scorer in the competition after a brace in a remarkable 7-0 rout of fierce rivals Manchester United on Sunday.

A pair of second-half strikes at Anfield extended his impressive record against old foes United, with 12 goals in his last 12 appearances in the fixture and nine in the past five meetings.

Salah also boasts the record as the top-scoring African in the Premier League and Liverpool's record scorer in Europe, with yet another achievement coming as no surprise to Henderson.

The England international told Sky Sports: "I'm really happy for Mo because it's not a coincidence that he gets these numbers.

"He dedicates his life to football every single day, how hard he works, he's the first one in and last one out. It's not a coincidence so I'm delighted for him."

Liverpool's biggest victory over United – surpassing a 7-1 second-tier thrashing in October 1895 – moved Jurgen Klopp's side within three points of fourth-placed Tottenham, having played a game fewer.

Henderson suggested a humiliating defeat for United tasted sweeter for Liverpool given Erik ten Hag's side lifted the EFL Cup just a week before with victory over Newcastle United at Wembley.

He added: "It is a little bit because of how well United have been playing of late; they have just won a trophy the other week, which will have hurt us as a team a little bit watching them lift that and they have been doing really well this season.

"For us, it was just about today and about performing to the levels we're capable of, and we managed to do that and the momentum kept building and we ended up getting seven.

"Like Mo said, we've got to take each game as it comes now. It's a big win but we need to concentrate on the next one."

Klopp's men are just seven points adrift of third-placed United despite Ten Hag's side repeatedly coming into praise in recent weeks for apparent progression under the Dutchman.

Liverpool have struggled for form this campaign, but Andy Robertson urged the Reds to push on after picking up 13 points from a possible 15 in their last five league games.

The left-back, who assisted Cody Gakpo's opener, told BBC Radio 5 Live: "When it's a big game like this with two big teams, the first goal is always crucial.

"The message at half-time was much of the same and it went to plan and a bit more!

"We were so clinical, so good in every area of the pitch and we couldn't have ever envisaged this score but when players are confident that's what happens. Something just clicked.

"It felt like we were all over them and knew where the ball was going to be at all times. The lads can take a lot of confidence from it but we've got another big game next Saturday [at Bournemouth]

"It's three points in the right direction but we have to use it and kick on for the rest of the season now."

Andrew Robertson has found the World Cup a massive turn-off after Scotland's failure to qualify, as the Liverpool star admitted the tournament "bites away" at him.

The Scotland captain revealed he bonded with David Alaba of Real Madrid when they recently met by chance on holiday, with neither man on duty in Qatar while club-mates battle for glory.

Alaba missed out with Austria after a defeat to Wales in the first round of the UEFA play-offs, with Scotland going the same way after losing to Ukraine.

Robertson said having the World Cup happening in recent weeks had been "difficult", given his role as captain of his country, and initially he had "not really watched it".

He said he only wished the best for his Liverpool team-mates still in with a chance of reaching the December 18 final, and has begun watching games in the last few days.

"For Scotland it's obviously difficult," Robertson added. "We think we should've been there, but we didn't perform the way we did in the play-off, which was disappointing from our point of view, and we have to deal with that."

At the age of 28, Robertson knows time is finite when it comes to his chances of ever gracing the World Cup stage.

He has won almost all there is to win at club level with Liverpool, but success in international football will be difficult to come about. Scotland are ranked 40th by FIFA, so should at least stand a better chance of reaching the 2026 World Cup, when the tournament is expanded from 32 to 48 teams.

"When I went on holiday I actually bumped into David Alaba and he's in a similar boat obviously playing with Austria," Robertson told Liverpool's official website.

Like Robertson, Alaba skippers his national team. They next time both men meet will be in the Champions League last-16 tie between their respective teams.

"He said he'd been to a couple of Euros, but never been to a World Cup," Robertson said. "We were both kind of talking that we were getting on a bit, so the chances are running out for us to qualify."

Robertson sees the World Cup as "a massive, massive thing" that he wants to experience. Scotland made it through to the Euro 2020 finals, but their last World Cup trip was to France 98, when Robertson was four years old.

"The World Cup is the one that bites away at me," said the left-back. "I'll definitely have one more shot at it – maybe two, let's see. It is something you want to achieve and something you want to be part of, and in the future that's definitely a target of mine."

Liverpool's sketchy start to the Premier League season means they have ground to make up when the campaign resumes for the Reds on December 26, with a trip to Aston Villa.

Just six wins from 14 games have left Liverpool sixth in the table, albeit going into the World Cup break on a high after successive victories against Tottenham and Southampton.

Robertson said: "We've not got any time to waste, the start of the season hasn't been what we wanted. It's been nowhere near the standards that the fans have been used to for us, so it's important when we come back we try to hit the ground running because that’s all we can do."

There was a boost for Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp when winger Luis Diaz returned to training at the club's camp in Dubai on Tuesday, with the Colombian fit again after recovering from a knee injury.

Jurgen Klopp hopes Liverpool reaching the Champions League knockout stages can give "everyone a lift" as the Reds aim to atone for an underwhelming Premier League start.

Klopp has progressed through every Champions League group stage with Liverpool, achieving a club-record sixth straight qualification with a 3-0 victory at Ajax on Wednesday.

Mohamed Salah became the third player to be directly involved in 50 or more goals in the competition for English clubs with a first-half finish and an assist after the interval for Harvey Elliott.

Darwin Nunez scored the other goal as Liverpool eased into the last 16, with Klopp hoping the Reds can carry that form into the Premier League, where they sit eighth – 12 points behind leaders Arsenal.

"We had a tough half an hour, where Ajax made a lot of pressure, and we had to defend a lot. That is fine, it is an away game in the Champions League," the Liverpool manager said on BT Sport.

"We changed system a little bit, we had to, they are a good football team, we wanted Darwin a little bit more central, so we had to adjust.

"We don't have to talk about [our form] all the time, we are through to the knockout stages and I will never take that for granted.

"Really important, it gives everyone a lift for the club. Really helpful, for tonight we all feel great, exhausted but great, and now we have a few days time to prepare for Leeds United."

Nunez inexplicably squandered a glorious first-half opportunity as he hit the post with the goal gaping, but made amends four minutes after the interval with a header from Robertson's corner.

The Scotland international revealed the former Benfica striker's half-time fury after a disappointing finish, though Robertson was delighted to see Nunez get on the scoresheet in a convincing victory.

"We had control. Darwin was really angry with himself at half-time," Robertson told BT Sport. "I sat next to him at half-time and told him I would put a cross in for him to score.

"We knew they had to win. They tried to start fast, and I don't think we calmed down quickly enough, but the important thing was we didn't concede.

"We managed to keep it tight, and then it was about getting the first goal. Three nil at this place, a really tough place to come and the clean sheet is so important for us now."

Liverpool will look to take the momentum from an impressive European win into the Premier League on Sunday, when they face strugglers Leeds.

Andy Robertson urged Liverpool to "wake up quickly" after a dire first-half performance resulted in a 4-1 humbling at Napoli in their Champions League opener on Wednesday.

Liverpool have failed to live up to early expectations in the Premier League, winning just twice in six games, and their poor start to the season continued in Naples.

Piotr Zielinski converted from the penalty spot after just five minutes, before Alisson denied Victor Osimhen's spot-kick – but that only denied the inevitable for the out-of-sorts Reds.

Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa and Giovanni Simeone, the latter on his Champions League debut, added further goals before half-time, with Zielinski adding a fourth after the interval.

It was just the fourth time Liverpool have found themselves three goals down at half-time in the competition, with Luis Diaz's second-half strike making little difference for Jurgen Klopp's side.

The thrashing marked the Reds' joint-heaviest defeat in the Champions League, and Robertson offered an honest appraisal after the game.

"We were miles too open. You can't come to a place like this and not be compact. They were by miles the better team," the Scotland international told BT Sport.

"Too many times they had spaces to run at us and cause us problems. You come away in the Champions League and you can't be wide open like that. We have to get back to basics and be compact.

"We deserve this result, even though we created chances. The way we were wide open they found so many spaces, that's not like us. It felt like they had an extra man.

"You have to be ready to fight. We weren't close enough to our mate when they went to press the ball, people weren't backing each other up soon enough.

"They hit the post within the first minute then they get a penalty, and another one and you're 3-0 down. We had two good chances to make it a bit different – but you can't dwell on that.

"We have to wake up quickly because we can't perform like that."

Liverpool will look to respond at home to Wolves in the Premier League on Saturday before hosting Ajax, who smashed Rangers 4-0 in Group A's other game on matchday one.

Jamie Carragher says Liverpool's 2-1 defeat to Manchester United is "a big worry" as the Reds' winless start to the Premier League season stretched to a third match.

A 16th-minute goal from Jadon Sancho put United into an early lead before Marcus Rashford added a second eight minutes into the second half. 

Mohamed Salah got a goal back for Liverpool with nine minutes remaining, but the hosts held on to claim a memorable victory.

Defeat for Liverpool at Old Trafford means they are down in 16th in the embryonic table, already seven points off early pacesetters Arsenal and five adrift of Manchester City.

Liverpool have now conceded the first goal in their last seven consecutive Premier League games, and Carragher is concerned by what he saw from his former side.

"Today is a big worry," he told Sky Sports. "It's not the result – you can come to Manchester United and lose, it's a tough place to come. 

"But it was the manner of the way they started the game, a derby game. Manchester United, it was obvious how they were going to start the game. 

"They had to start the first 15, 20 minutes like their lives depended on it and get this crowd involved. And they did. And it was like Liverpool weren't ready."

Left-back Andy Robertson bemoaned his side's poor first-half showing as Liverpool suffered a first league loss of 2022.

"It’s definitely not been the start of the season we wanted – we've been really poor," he told Sky Sports.

"We give every team a goal headstart, which is the base of the game. You can't keep giving yourself an uphill battle. 

"We've conceded an early goal again, started slow again, and that's what needs to change.

"The warm-up is probably the quietest I've ever heard this stadium. They wanted something to lift them, and we unfortunately gave them it."

Cristiano Ronaldo faces an uncertain Manchester United future, but he stands to pass a string of landmarks if he stays and plays for Erik ten Hag this season.

Tottenham's Harry Kane, set to captain England at the World Cup later in the year, is chasing a significant club landmark.

And guess who will join Mohamed Salah in bidding to set an opening-day career goals record.

Of course, it's......  Jamie Vardy.

As the new season gets under way on Friday, Stats Perform looks at the records and milestones coming into view.

KANE, RONALDO, HAALAND: TARGETS IN THE CROSSHAIRS OF THE BIG GUNS

What role Ronaldo has to play remains in the balance, given he appears keen to leave United for a second time.

But if the 37-year-old features for the Red Devils, he can begin to chase down landmarks. For starters, he is just four victories short of having had a hand in 150 United wins in the Premier League, having drawn 43 times and lost 37 while a member of the team across his two Old Trafford spells.

Ronaldo is a mere six goals away from becoming the first player to amass 500 goals in Europe's top five leagues. His record 494 goals to date have come from 616 league matches. On his heels, however, is perennial rival Lionel Messi, once of Barcelona and now at Paris Saint-Germain (480 goals in 546 league games).

Kane is 17 away from hitting the 200-goal mark in the Premier League, a total only ever achieved by Alan Shearer (260) and Wayne Rooney (208). Sergio Aguero (184) and Andy Cole (187), third and fourth on the Premier League era list, are poised to be knocked down a peg as Kane continues his assault on the league record.

Both Leicester City's Vardy and Liverpool's Salah will be looking to equal or break the Premier League matchday one goals record, which is currently held jointly by Shearer, Frank Lampard and Rooney (eight goals). Vardy and Salah have seven each, like the retired Teddy Sheringham and Aguero.

Manchester City new boy Erling Haaland has caused a sensation with his goalscoring wherever he has played, dazzling for Molde, Salzburg, Borussia Dortmund and Norway. He could become the seventh Norwegian to score on his Premier League debut, and the third to do so in the opening game of a season, after Tore Andre Flo for Chelsea in 1997-98 and Adama Diomande in 2016-17 with Hull City.

DESERVES A LONG SERVICE MEDAL

Liverpool's James Milner, fresh from signing a new one-year contract, is 12 short of reaching 600 Premier League games. Only three players have reached that mark to date: Gareth Barry (653), Ryan Giggs (632) and Lampard (609).

Milner made his Premier League debut for Leeds United as a 16-year-old in November 2002, so a 20-year anniversary is approaching for the former England midfielder.

David Moyes was already a Premier League manager by the time Milner made his first appearance. At Everton then, he has done the rounds since and is a mere two games away from completing 1,000 matches in all competitions as a manager in English football.

Now at West Ham, Moyes looks to be at the opposite end of his touchline career to Mikel Arteta, the Arsenal manager who is one away from bringing up his first 50 wins as a Premier League boss.

STICK AROUND LONG ENOUGH...

Only six teams have been constant members of the Premier League since its first year in 1992-93. Completing the first 30 seasons without suffering the indignity of relegation have been Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea, Tottenham, Everton and Arsenal. Sooner or later, all sorts of landmarks arrive for these league lynchpins.

Arsenal have lost 249 Premier League games and headed into Friday night's season opener against Crystal Palace under threat of becoming the 13th side to lose 250. They would have had the longest wait to lose 250, however, having already played four games more than Chelsea, who took the longest (1,148 games) of those to have reached the not-so-desirable milestone.

Tottenham, another of those stalwart sides, are just five away from becoming the fifth team to score 1,000 goals at home in the competition (Manchester United 1,214, Liverpool 1,156, Arsenal 1,154, Chelsea 1,121).

Chelsea are 27 shy of 2,000 goals, home or away, having plundered 1,973 in their 1,152 games to date.

Aston Villa and Newcastle United are both 12 short of losing 400 Premier League games. Only West Ham (408) and Everton (414) have lost more games than those sides, who will hope to avoid spilling over that barrier this season.

West Ham are four away from reaching 1,000 Premier League games, while promoted Nottingham Forest are two away from 200.

MAKING UP THE NUMBERS

Liverpool left-back Andy Robertson needs one assist to become only the second defender to register 50 Premier League assists, after Leighton Baines (Wigan, Everton). Robertson has 49, with Baines managing 53 across his career.

Aston Villa veteran Ashley Young and Tottenham new arrival Richarlison are two shy of reaching 50 Premier League goals, while Newcastle's former Burnley goalkeeper Nick Pope is four away from 50 clean sheets in the competition.

Brighton and Hove Albion are two away from 50 wins, with Aston Villa four short of 300 draws, a tally that only Everton (320) have reached.

Southampton need four victories to reach 100 away wins, and Aston Villa want four three-pointers on the road to reach their 150 wins. Leicester, on the other hand, are four away from 150 Premier League away defeats. Brendan Rodgers will hope to fend off that landmark until well into the new campaign.

Trent Alexander-Arnold has been impressed by Vinicius Junior in Real Madrid's run to the Champions League final, but says Liverpool have a plan to deal with the Brazilian.

Vinicius has been directly involved in 37 goals for Madrid in all competitions this season, a tally that includes three goals and six assists in the Champions League.

With those nine goal contributions, Vinicius is one short of becoming the first South American player 21 or under to be involved in 10 or more since Lionel Messi in the 2008-09 campaign.

While it may be Karim Benzema who is at the centre of much of the pre-match focus in Paris, Alexander-Arnold will be tasked with dealing directly with Vinicius down Madrid's left.

Asked ahead of Saturday's showpiece at the Stade de France how he intends to go about stopping Vinicius, Alexander-Arnold said: "You expect to come up against the best.

"There will be battles all over the pitch; we have game plans for everyone we face.

"As for Vinicius, he's an exciting player to watch, but we have a job to do as a collective and as individuals. There are individual battles, but it's the team that wins."

Alexander-Arnold is set to start his third Champions League final, which would see him surpass the record for the youngest to do so, held by Bayern Munich's Thomas Muller (23y, 245d). Alexander-Arnold will be 23 years and 233 days old on Saturday.

The England international has started 46 games for Liverpool this season – only Virgil van Dijk (50) and Alisson (53) have been used from the beginning more often.

The most recent of Alexander-Arnold's starts came in last Sunday's 3-1 win against Wolves, which was not enough to prevent Manchester City from pipping the Reds to the Premier League title.

Despite the dream of a quadruple being ended, Alexander-Arnold insists that loss will not linger over Liverpool in the French capital.

"Not at all. We've put that behind us," he said. "We have the experience this season to focus on the competition we have ahead of us.

"For us, we've found it useful to ignore other competitions. Whatever has happened before last week, yes it was disappointing and hard to take, but you put it behind you.

"We have a Champions League final to prepare for and what better way to make up for it by coming to Paris and an amazing venue to win the best competition in the world."

Andy Robertson will almost certainly be selected on the opposite flank to Alexander-Arnold, with the left-back himself playing a huge part in the Reds' latest European run.

Liverpool are playing their 63rd game of the season – no side in Europe's top five leagues will have played more – having gone all the way in winning the FA Cup and EFL Cup.

Indeed, the last side from across the Premier League, LaLiga, Ligue 1, Serie A and Bundesliga to play more times in all competitions were Manchester United in 2016-17 (64 games).

Madrid have played 55 matches, meanwhile, and sealed the LaLiga title with four matches to spare, allowing Carlo Ancelotti to heavily rotate in recent weeks.

But Robertson is adamant that fatigue will not be an issue for his side against the Spanish champions.

"They've obviously had a bit more relaxed preparation and wrapped up their league two or three weeks ago," Robertson said.

"They've maybe not played as many games and at a high tempo. We knew how hard our run was going to be on our bodies, but we're in the best possible shape.

"We've come through a lot and yes we've had injuries and problems, but the lads are fully fit. It's important we take the competitive nature of a tough season into the last game.

"Real have had a fantastic season winning the league and being in incredible games in the Champions League, they've been a joy to watch.

"We have to stand in their way. Our fans demand a lot this season and we want to win it for them."

Liverpool moved back to within a point of Premier League leaders Manchester City with a battling 2-0 win over Everton on Sunday thanks to second-half goals from Andy Robertson and Divock Origi.

The Reds were frustrated for the best part of an hour by Merseyside rivals Everton, who dropped into the relegation zone ahead of kick-off following Burnley's earlier win over Wolves.

Neither side registered an attempt on target in an at times feisty first half, but Robertson made the all-important breakthrough after 62 minutes with a header from close range.

Origi added a late second against his favourite opponents as Jurgen Klopp's side made certain of a 12th win in their past 13 top-flight outings to stay within touching distance of City with five games left to go.

Liverpool players are not discussing the possibility of an unprecedented quadruple because the Premier League title race is out of their hands, says Andy Robertson. 

Manchester City retained their one-point advantage over Liverpool at the summit after the teams drew 2-2 in an enthralling encounter at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday. 

The Reds will take on City again on Saturday with a place in the FA Cup final on the line at Wembley, where Jurgen Klopp's side lifted the EFL Cup earlier this season. 

Liverpool could also meet Pep Guardiola's side in the Champions League semi-finals if they overcome Benfica and Atletico Madrid in their respective quarter-finals, the second legs of which take place on Wednesday. 

Mohamed Salah said prior to the City game that Liverpool wanted to win all four trophies, but Robertson insists there is no such talk between the players. 

"We literally just talk about the next game. As it comes. You can't look too far ahead, you think of the next game and that's Benfica then we move on from there. Definitely no chat like that in our changing room," said Robertson. 

He added: "We just need to keep winning games. We had to do it that year [2019] and we have to do it this year. We need to keep winning games. It's out of our hands [the Premier League]. If they win all their games then it is their league but if they do drop points we need to be ready to pounce. 

"The only way of doing that is by winning games. If we do that then let's see where we end up in May. The points tallies we've racked up in the last couple of years has been incredible but there can only be one winner, so we need to keep fighting and see what happens. 

"We are still fighting on all fronts, we still have a lot of games to play and if we win hopefully it ends with silverware." 

None of City's remaining Premier League games are against teams in the top five, while Liverpool still have tricky fixtures against Tottenham and Manchester United to navigate. 

"I think we have got a really tough run-in, all games are tough in the Premier League especially when you get to the end bit," said Robertson. 

"But we have some really tough games and we need to try to win them, we need to be at our best, we need to be better than we were [against City] and if we do that then let's see where we end up and hopefully we can win something." 

Jurgen Klopp hailed Liverpool's 2-0 win at Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday as "really special" as his team moved to within a point of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table.

A tight contest was decided by second half goals from Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino as the Reds won their ninth league game in a row.

Mikel Arteta's team arguably shaded the first half and came close to taking the lead just before Jota's opener but Martin Odegaard's effort with the goal at his mercy was somehow kept out by a diving Alisson.

Speaking to Sky Sports after the game, Klopp was delighted with the three points and praised the way his side ground out the win. 

"It's really special," he said. "Coming here in our situation, and their situation, and not having a brilliant first half and then turning the game in the right direction is pretty special.

"You have to be on your toes because they are a proper threat."

Since the turn of the year, Liverpool have won more points than any other Premier League team (28 – W9 D1 L0), and are the only side yet to suffer a league defeat in 2022. In fact, Liverpool have avoided defeat in their opening 10 league games of a calendar year for the first time since 2015.

The title race is now finely poised with just one point separating City and Liverpool, with nine games to go each and the two set to face each other in April, but Klopp insists all his team can do is continue to win games.

"We have had a good period," he added. "We are one point behind but the only thing we can do is win football games. No game is easy in this incredible league and we have to keep going.

"The only thing I'm really interested in is how we can prepare for the next game, how we can get through this. It's so difficult – I think it's game number 13 since we met Arsenal in the Carabao Cup. For them, it's seven – that's six more games for us. We don't complain about it, we wanted it like this. Let's see how it goes.

"In 10 years, do you think somebody will say you should be proud [of finishing second by one point]? Probably not. We know we have a special group here and we're trying to squeeze everything we can out of the situation."

Andrew Robertson – who registered his 50th assist in 211 games for Liverpool when he set up Firmino's goal – believes City are still in a better position, but insists it will be a "sprint to the finish line."

When asked if Liverpool are the team with momentum, the Scotland captain told Sky Sports: "Yeah, but they've got an extra point than us (laughing).

"Look, they're a point better off. A fantastic team, one of the best in the world and they'll obviously try and have a strong finish. That's us done with the Premier League until after the international break [for] both teams, and then it's a sprint to the finish line."

Robertson has provided 10+ assists in three of his last four seasons in the Premier League, while since the start of the 2018-19 campaign, only team-mate Trent Alexander-Arnold (43) has provided more assists in the competition than him (40).

"We're in the race," he continued. "A lot of people maybe didn't think we were going to be [in] January but we're definitely in the race and we just need to focus on what we're doing and picking up as many points as possible."

Trent Alexander-Arnold joked "they all count" after his wayward shot paved the way for Sadio Mane's winning goal in Liverpool's 1-0 victory over West Ham on Saturday.

The right-back chested down a pass and scuffed what appeared to be a shot from range, which Mane – narrowly onside – diverted past Lukasz Fabianski from close range.

That proved to be the only goal in a nervy victory for Liverpool – their seventh in a row in the Premier League as they moved to within three points of leaders Manchester City.

Alexander-Arnold's assist was his 16th in all competitions this term, setting a new personal best after registering 15 in 2018-19 and again in 2019-20.

Those 16 assists are the second most of any player from clubs in Europe's top five leagues in all competitions this season, behind only Bayern Munich's Thomas Muller (19).

While he may not have meant his latest assist, the England defender was pleased to play his part in a battling victory, having also helped clear a Pablo Fornals shot off the line.

"They all count," Alexander-Arnold told Sky Sports after team-mate Andy Robertson implied he was going for goal rather than attempting to pick out Mane in the box.

"I try to contribute as much as I can to the team. We all want to help win games for the team and I am happy to be able to continue.

"Both me and Andy tried to get forward when we had the chance, but to keep a clean sheet was our aim.

"We have been able to do that over the last few weeks. Being able to clear one off the line was great as it helped us keep that clean sheet.

"Look at the Burnley game when we won 1-0. It's great to win by a big margin but these are the ones that matter. It doesn't matter how you do it, you have to get the job done."

Liverpool are on their best winning streak in the top flight since a run of 18 between October and February in their title-winning campaign two years ago.

The Reds were made to work hard for their latest victory, though, as top-four chasing West Ham wasted two big chances in the final 20 minutes to claim a point.

Robertson, making his 200th start for Liverpool on the opposite flank to Alexander-Arnold, has now challenged his team-mates to keep their momentum going.

"West Ham played a good game but we defended well, put bodies on the line and got the three points," Robertson added to Sky Sports.

"Set-pieces have been a threat. It was never going to be easy but once we got the goal it was important to keep the clean sheet. Now we need more. We need to keep going.

"They are trying to get into European football so we had to help out our centre-backs and we were brave with it."

You wait nearly three weeks for a Premier League matchday and then two arrive at once…

Reigning champions and leaders Manchester City head to strugglers Norwich City, while Liverpool visit the lowly Burnley after the Clarets earned a valuable point against Manchester United in midweek.

Ralf Rangnick's Red Devils face Southampton, who impressed with a comeback victory over Tottenham on Wednesday. Antonio Conte's side will hope to bounce back at home to Wolves.

Ahead of the action, Stats Perform uses Opta data to aid your fantasy football selection dilemmas.

JOSE SA (Tottenham v Wolves)

Wolves have become specialists in securing slender wins to propel them towards an unlikely qualification for European football.

Jose Sa has been central to the success of Bruno Lage's backline, saving 69 of the 86 shots on target he has faced – the best save percentage (80 per cent) in the Premier League of any goalkeeper to play at least five games.

While he will be tasked with keeping Son Heung-min and Harry Kane out, the Portugal goalkeeper could be good shout for some important save bonus points.

ANDREW ROBERTSON (Burnley v Liverpool)

Robertson is hardly a new phenomenon for the veteran fantasy football players, but the Scotland international has been sensational on the road for Liverpool.

The left-back has provided five assists in his last four top-flight away games and has six overall for the Reds on the road this season – the last player to assist more away from Anfield in the league was Danny Murphy (seven) in 2002-03.

With Burnley struggling at the top end of the pitch as well, the former Hull City man could be a likely source of clean-sheet points as well.

PHILIPPE COUTINHO (Newcastle United v Aston Villa)

Philippe Coutinho has starred under Steven Gerrard in his limited time as a loanee at Aston Villa, registering a goal and two assists against Leeds United on Wednesday.

That took the Brazil international's tally to four goal involvements (two goals, two assists) in his opening three league games for Villa, averaging a goal or an assist every 44 minutes.

Eddie Howe's Newcastle United are down in the relegation mix, so Coutinho remains a smart pick with many expecting goals galore at St. James' Park.

PATSON DAKA (Leicester City v West Ham)

Leicester City have endured a tough period under Brendan Rodgers, but Patson Daka has still been a standout performer for the Foxes.

The Zambian striker has found the net in four of his five home top-flight appearances and is providing previous fantasy favourite Jamie Vardy with some stiff competition.

Daka has scored on all three of his home league starts and could be the seventh Premier League player in history to do so in his first four if he can breach the West Ham defence on Sunday.