Analysis: Robinson has the form to handle Salah threat

Adrian Clarke looks at key tactical points and players who can be decisive in Matchweek 16.

Player analysis: Antonee Robinson

Fulham left-back Robinson is developing into the one of the most accomplished players in his position in the Premier League.  

Excellent on the ball, buccaneering inside the final third, and increasingly intelligent with his defensive decision-making, the USA international is enjoying a fine season.  

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Fresh from holding his own in a high-class duel with Bukayo Saka last weekend, Robinson will feel confident he is equipped to handle the in-form Mohamed Salah when Fulham face Liverpool at Anfield on Saturday.  

Is Robinson the Premier League's best left-back? 

When you glance around the Premier League for standout left-backs, it is hard to look beyond the 27-year-old in 2024/25.

His consistency outshines players who are performing the same role with bigger clubs, and his wide-ranging strengths cannot be ignored.  

In 10 key categories, Robinson is ranked among the top three in every single department.  

How Robinson ranks among PL left-backs

*Successful crosses in open play

Can he contain Salah? 

Stifling a player who has been directly involved in at least two goals in each of Liverpool’s last four Premier League matches - Salah has scored six and assisted three in that spell - will be a challenging exercise for Robinson.  

However, Fulham's left-back can take confidence from the way he got tight to Saka last weekend, shrinking the space he had to operate in. His assertive approach regularly forced the Arsenal star to pass the ball backwards.  

He loves to apply pressure, with Crystal Palace’s Tyrick Mitchell being the only left-back to close down opponents with greater frequency inside his own defensive third.  

Robinson can have a tendency to dive in, with opponents dribbling past him on 18 occasions this season, the most of any Fulham player. But in general, once he gets close enough to wingers, the full-back is strong in his duels. 

When Liverpool attempt to pick out Salah with longer passes, as is their style, Robinson will try to make interceptions.  

Even when he is tucked in, like he was below against Arsenal, Robinson loves to step onto the ball to break up play.  

This was one of 28 interceptions Robinson has made so far, the joint most among all Premier League defenders.  

Interestingly, the other two players on 28 will also be out there at Anfield in Fulham right-back Kenny Tete and Liverpool’s Virgil van Dijk.  

Contributing in attack 

No matter who Fulham are up against, Robinson will get on the front foot and hurt them inside the final third.  

He had limited opportunities last time out at home to Arsenal, but one superb run and cross in the second half at Craven Cottage did catch the eye.  

The left-back also delivered a tremendous assist in this fixture last season, when Fulham were unlucky to end up on the wrong side of a 4-3 scoreline.

Starting the move with a trademark interception, Robinson followed his run to cross low for Harry Wilson to score at the near post.  

When you analyse his quartet of assists this season, and the chances he creates, it’s clear that so many of Robinson's attacking contributions come from bursts he makes into advanced positions.  

On the counter, or from build-up play that encourages him to overlap Fulham’s left-sided forward, Robinson will not be afraid to make his presence felt against Liverpool.  

Arne Slot’s players will have to track his runs properly.  

No top-flight defender can match Robinson’s four assists so far, and he also leads the way for successful crosses in open play.

In addition, only one left-back, Wolverhampton Wanderers' Rayan Ait-Nouri, has completed more dribbles than Robinson. 

What approach will Fulham adopt? 

It is hard to say with total certainty how Marco Silva will set up for this encounter, but pragmatism has paid off in their last two fixtures.  

Fulham only had six shots in a counter-attacking 3-1 success at home to Brighton & Hove Albion, before drawing with Arsenal in very assertive fashion.  

The Cottagers had just two shots, accumulating 0.16 Expected Goals (xG), from three touches inside the opposition box on Sunday.

A repeat tactic could be under consideration, which is a major gear change for Fulham.  

Fulham averaged 15.1 shots and 150 final-third passes per match in their first 13 Premier League fixtures this season.  

Yet in their last two matches, they averaged just four shots and 67.5 passes in the final third per match, with their 47 final-third passes against Arsenal being the second lowest total by a home team in a match this season. 

On their last trip to Liverpool, just over a year ago, Fulham had nine attempts on goal including five on target, and in that 4-3 defeat they caused major problems on the break.  

Using Robinson’s adventure down the left, Alex Iwobi’s ball-carrying qualities, and the outlet that Raul Jimenez provides up front, they can give the leaders a stern test on breakaways. 

They used their Mexican striker to great effect when scoring against Arsenal.

After chesting down a long clearance by Bernd Leno, Jimenez sprinted in behind with a clever, double-angled run to collect Tete's pass.

A rejuvenated Jimenez has now scored 12 goals in his last 21 Premier League starts, netting once every 192 minutes.  

The game plan 

Silva has trust in his players to sit back in their shape and protect goalkeeper Leno.

The Fulham boss is right to have that belief because Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal are the only sides to have restricted their opponents to fewer touches inside their penalty areas this season.

Opponents' touches inside the box 

Fulham will need Robinson to be at his dominant best if they are to deal a blow to another title contender.