Alan Brazil: Andy Robertson can be 10 times the player Liverpool bought

LIVERPOOL thought they were bagging a big Dutchman when they signed Virgil van Dijk.

But I reckon they also landed a flying Scotsman.

Andy Robertson has gone pretty much under the radar since his £8m summer arrival at Anfield from Hull City.

One appearance in August and two in September were the only glimpses afforded to the Reds faithful of the Scotland star.

But when first-choice left-back Alberto Moreno picked up an ankle injury during Liverpool’s Champions League destruction of Spartak Moscow last month, Robbo’s moment arrived.

It was no surprise to me that he has seized it.

But now van Dijk is there, I reckon the former Queen’s Park and Dundee United kid is about to really prove his worth.

The headlines following £75m man van Dijk’s dream debut against Everton were all about his rock-solid performance and winning goal.

The ex-Celtic star showed exactly why Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has been so persistent in pursuing him.

But Kopites who really know football were also drooling over Robertson’s performance.

There’s only one word to describe the 23-year-old’s performance at left-back – immense.

The stats tell the story.

Robbo had more touches than any other player on the park against the Toffees, won 82% of his duels, 83% of his tackles and successfully completed 47 of 53 attempted passes.

For a lad who was playing in Scotland’s bottom division less than four years ago, that is incredible.

And while his performances were on the rise anyway, I think having van Dijk playing just inside him was a major factor.

For a marauding full-back in the modern game, having a centre-half as good as Virgil next to you gives you licence to get yourself up the park at will.

If you know he’s there behind you, reading the game and covering the channel, you know you’re free to get your foot on the gas.

That’s going to be great for Andy and great for Liverpool.

It will also be terrific for Scotland.

Anybody who knows me knows I’m a huge Kieran Tierney fan.

The Celtic star is an incredible wee player already, with the potential to become even better.

But if Andy Robertson is shining for Liverpool in the Premier League and the Champions League, he has to start at left-back for Scotland.

That was a view shared by Gordon Strachan.

Towards the end of the last qualifying campaign, the ex-Scotland bosss was utilising Robertson at left-back while Tierney was shifted over to the right.

If I were the man next taking charge of Scotland, I’d be sticking with Strachan’s system.

Tierney has looked more than comfortable on the right, while Robertson has been in goalscoring form on the left.

The more he plays at Liverpool – and the more he plays alongside van Dijk – the better he is going to get.

Robbo has risen to every challenge laid down so far in his career.

The latest one – becoming a Liverpool regular – is the biggest.

But I don’t see how anyone could doubt he will rise to it after the last few weeks.

The Reds paid almost 10 times as much for van Dijk as they did for Robertson.

But I’m backing Andy to prove he’s 10 times the player his fee suggested.