Henderson: Andy Robertson's story can be an inspiration for all

The Scotland captain recently released his own personal story of Liverpool’s 2019-20 title-winning campaign, entitled Now You’re Gonna Believe Us.

Speaking from a first-person perspective, Robertson documents the ride towards ending the 30-year wait for a league championship, beginning in the aftermath of the Champions League final success of 2019.

And writing in his column for the official matchday programme for Thursday’s game with Arsenal, Henderson joked: “When I first heard that Andy Robertson was involved in bringing out a book my immediate reaction was whether it would be easier being coloured in with crayons or felt-tip? But in fairness to him, having had a chance to sit down and read it, he’s done a cracking job in telling a lot of the stories from last season.

“It’s typical of him that his response when asked why he’d done this project, instead of an autobiography, was that “writing a book just about my life didn’t make sense as I’m not interesting enough.” It’s the most Robbo statement ever – but also not true.

“I think Andy’s personal story is inspirational and certainly worth telling, particularly for anyone trying to make their way as a young footballer, or as a professional in any sport. Although this particular book is a diary of one season and not his life story, it does give away key parts of his personality and you can see how and why he’s arrived into the position he’s now in.

“Those of us blessed to be at this club now, or indeed be a player for any club at this level, know we are very lucky and privileged. I’ve said many times in this column the rewards for what we do are disproportionate compared with the majority of society. But everyone’s journey to this point involved making sacrifices and overcoming obstacles. I think that part of Andy’s story is worth telling and listening to, now more than ever.

• Order your copy of Now You're Gonna Believe Us here

“The Robbo that arrived at Liverpool, back in the summer of 2017, is different to the one today. But that doesn’t mean he’s 'changed' as a person. He still has the same personality and character, but he’s developed as a professional to the point I think he’s the best in the world in his position at this moment in time.

“The Robbo that arrived probably didn’t believe in himself enough – well actually, he definitely didn’t. He certainly had doubts he had to overcome – self doubts, I mean – pressure he would have put on himself, unfair pressure. We all do it. I can associate with that, as I’m sure the vast majority of our players can.

“It’s how you react to it that defines you. For whatever reason his career is sometimes described as a ‘fairytale’ and I get why that irks him. It’s not because he finds it demeaning to himself – it’s because of the message it sends to other young professionals who will suffer setbacks and have challenges to overcome.

“Football – and professional sport in general – is full of people who fail before they succeed. And by ‘fail’ I don’t mean because they weren’t good enough in that moment or had made some personal mistake. Being let go by the academy you’re at, falling out of favour at your club or with a specific coach – or simply someone making a judgement, their judgement, that you are not good enough in that moment. I can tell you now – this will have applied at some point to every single player in our dressing room.

“To come back from those moments doesn’t require a miracle. It takes talent, determination and persistence. And luck and having people to help and support you. I would say this reflects real life and not a fairytale.

“Just look at Monday night's game against Arsenal. Robbo is involved in us conceding the first goal, but instead of going under because of that he focuses on what positive effect he could have on the rest of the game and scores the goal that gets us in front.

“That’s typical of the player and person he is. But he’ll be the first to admit getting to the point of having that mentality, of not negatively dwelling on a mistake, has taken time and help.

“Again, I’m using Robbo as an example because I’m talking about him in this column to encourage people to buy his book. But I could apply this to so many members of our squad and other players I’ve been lucky to play with.

“It’s a time when I’m sure that, across football and society, people are going through moments like Robbo did when he was much younger. Opportunities being taken away from them and doors closed. Moments where you think the one thing you’ve always dreamed of isn’t going to happen.

“That’s why it is a good time to think about his personal story and others like him. Of course, not everyone makes it and I will be the first to tell you that luck plays a part for all of us.

“Not everyone gets the breaks to go with their hard work. Not everyone is fortunate to have people in their lives who carry them through the toughest moments. But using our team for one moment to illustrate the importance of not giving up – getting a setback doesn’t mean you can’t keep going.

“Feeling rejection and disappointment is a tough thing to handle in life. But it’s something we will all face – every single one of us, regardless of our circumstances.

“To keep going in the face of that – to keep trying, keep working and keep dreaming is what is most important. If one opportunity doesn’t work out, move on to the next one and do your very best there to make that work. It’s never a reason to think you’re not good enough or not worth it. There is no downside to trying again and again for something you dream of or believe in.

“Going back to the book itself, I still haven’t decided if I’ll use mine as a doorstop or as a sedative when I’m desperate for some sleep. But I do hope that as many of our fans who would normally buy this sort of thing do so, if circumstances allow.

“It is a really good insight and reflection of what last season was like. It’s good fun as well. That said, he devotes far too much time to his lucky header at Villa away, which he manages to make sound like Maradona’s second goal against England in the 1986 World Cup. I must have heard about that goal about a million times and he’s yet to admit it was impossible to miss.

“And of course, proceeds from it go to a really good cause. Robbo explains it better than I can, but he’s currently in the process of launching his own charity – which he’s imaginatively called ‘AR26’. I can imagine that took hours and hours of brainstorming.

“Again, using this book to help others is typical of him. I know that helping young people back in Glasgow and Scotland is very close to his heart, which goes back to my earlier point. We all feel very fortunate to be doing what we do and we know that without the help of other people we would have had no chance of getting to this point. We all need other people to help and support us in life and, from what he’s told me, this new charity is about exactly that.

“Personally speaking, I’m looking forward to the audio book coming out. I believe Robbo has voiced a part of it himself. If that’s the case it’ll be the first audio book ever to require subtitles.

“So I think the saying is 'available in all good bookshops?' As much as I hate to admit it, he’s done a cracking job and it’s worth a read or listen.

“And if nothing else, you might get a sense of satisfaction propping up a wonky table by resting the shorter leg on Robbo’s face.”

• Order your copy of the Liverpool v Arsenal matchday programme here