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Liverpool are reportedly looking for a replacement for Andrew Robertson - but who should they sign?
Since the summer transfer window closed, most of the speculation surrounding Liverpool has concerned the possible departures of stalwarts Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk, each of whom see their contract run down at the end of the season. They aren’t the only staples of the Klopp era that could be replaced, however – there are plenty of stories which suggest that new head coach Arne Slot also wants to find a long-term replacement for Andrew Robertson.
One of the great bargain signings of the last ten years, the 30-year-old Scotsman has been among the best left-backs in the league since he arrived at Anfield, but there are the first signs that he may be slowing down – and sooner or later, a new broom may be required. In any case, Robertson’s own contract expires in 2026. Signing another left-back makes sense, especially if Slot doesn’t believe that current back-up Kostas Tsimikas is the answer.
Several names have come up on the rumour mill. Fulham’s impressive American Antonee Robinson has been mentioned, along with Ipswich Town’s Leif Davis. A recent report from the Liverpool Echo noted Slot saying some kind words about Girona’s Miguel Gutiérrez before they played in the Champions League. All would make some sense as replacements – but which would be the best target for the Reds if they do want to move on from Robertson?
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Stylistically, it’s likely that Slot will look for a wing-back who is as effective in the final third as possible. Robertson himself, although a very solid defender, is at his best towards the opposition goal and Slot’s system puts plenty of emphasis on getting the wing-backs up-field in support of the forwards. A defender who can make every tackle but who lacks the speed and quality of delivery to create goals probably doesn’t fit the bill.
All of the players on the alleged shortlist are more than capable of generating chances. Robinson has 10 assists over the last 18 months in the Premier League and is a growing force down the left flank. Gutiérrez, the youngest of the trio at 23, has nine assists in La Liga since the start of the 2023/24 season. Davis only has two assists since Ipswich’s promotion but put up an extraordinary 18 during the Tractor Boys’ promotion campaign.
The table below compares the three with Robertson across some key statistical metrics, all using numbers from the last year of football, to give us some idea of how they stack up with arguably Liverpool’s greatest left-back as he is right now.
Running the numbers on Liverpool’s ideal Robertson replacementRunning the numbers on Liverpool’s ideal Robertson replacement
Running the numbers on Liverpool’s ideal Robertson replacement | NationalWorld
None of them create as many opportunities as Robertson, but all of them create more goals as it stands – likely a testament to the quality of the final ball as well as to the volume of chances they take slinging a cross into the mixer. They are all also better with the ball at their feet, beating their man more frequently to create space, which no doubt allows them to get into more dangerous positions.
There are flaws with such a surface-level statistical analysis, of course. The stats will be distorted by the clubs they play for – for instance, Robinson may make more tackles and interceptions because he’s the best defender of the four, or it may simply be because he’s had more defending to do playing for Fulham. Davis’ numbers may be exaggerated because he was playing in a lower division for half of the time period covered.
But the data also points to Robinson being the best all-round candidate. Gutiérrez has a slight creative edge and is perhaps a better technician, but Robinson is much the better defender and is arguably playing at a higher level than Robertson as it stands.
The arguments against Robinson are his age – at 27 he is the oldest of the three and will have less shelf life as a long-term answer at left-back – and cost. Most reports suggest that he would set a club back something in the region of £40m, likely much higher than would be the case for the others. Gutiérrez is reported to have a release clause of £28.8m, and may not cost as much as that. Davis’ price tag is unclear.
If Liverpool have to go on a substantial spending spree to cover the cost of replacing Salah, Van Dijk and Alexander-Arnold, then Robinson could potentially be out of their price range – but all things being even, if the idea is to have a player who can help to fuel title challenges for the next few years, then Robinson may be the best option available. He has quietly become one of the best left-backs in the Premier League.
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