Liverpool defender Andy Robertson
Liverpool defender Andy Robertson
With the transfer window set to reopen on Monday, Liverpool are bracing themselves for a shock bid for Andy Robertson. The Reds' left-back has emerged as a target for Spanish giants Atletico Madrid and they could test Liverpool's resolve to keep the 31-year-old this summer.
Robertson joined Liverpool in an £8million deal from Hull City in the summer of 2017 and has gone on to become one of the most successful signings in Anfield history.
The Scotland captain is a firm Liverpool fan favourite having made 342 appearances and won every major trophy, but with £45m-rated Milos Kerkez edging closer to a switch from Bournemouth, Robertson faces the biggest challenge to his position yet.
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And should Atletico firm up their interest, Liverpool could face a difficult transfer decision. Here's what ECHO writers Ian Doyle, Joe Rimmer and James Quinlan make of the situation:
Ian Doyle
The very nature of modern society means heads are very easily turned by the latest shiny new thing. What definitely happened yesterday isn't anywhere near as important as what possibly could happen tomorrow.
Atletico Madrid have rarely followed that route and long proven themselves willing to take on players who perhaps need or are due a fresh challenge. Hence their interest in Andy Robertson, Liverpool's best left-back since the days of another Scot, Steve Nicol, in the 1980s.
Robertson is far from a busted flush at Anfield, as was shown towards the end of the season. But nobody and nothing lasts forever and the imminent arrival of Milos Kerkez highlights Liverpool are already setting their long-term sights on the future.
In reality, the next move is a decision that isn't the Reds' to make. If Robertson wants to go to Atletico, it's unlikely the club will put too many obstacles in his way.
But the suspicion is the 31-year-old isn't quite done at the Reds yet. Kerkez at 22 is not the finished article and will take time to adapt, and will benefit from working with the experienced Robertson, who will surely be given plentiful minutes in the new campaign on merit alone. Subsequent events will then determine whether there's a contract extension in the offing given he is approaching the final 12 months of his current deal.
Plus, with Trent Alexander-Arnold gone, there is a vice-captain's role for which Robertson is ideally suited. He should stay. But if he chooses Atletico, nobody could begrudge him his time in the sun after an outstanding Liverpool career.
Joe Rimmer
Having watched as Trent Alexander-Arnold turned his back on Liverpool, the Reds are now facing the prospect of the end of another era at Anfield, with Andy Robertson a wanted man.
Alexander-Arnold and Robertson were the creative force in a Liverpool team that returned to the top of European football under Jurgen Klopp and seeing them both depart in the same summer would certainly show the winds of change are blowing at Anfield.
And yet it's hardly a surprise Liverpool are facing such a big call. It was only two seasons ago, of course, that club captain Jordan Henderson left in a shock switch to Saudi Arabia as part of a major revamp in the Reds' midfield.
It's clear Richard Hughes and Arne Slot won't let emotion cloud their judgement when considering their options, and all will depend on Atletico Madrid's offer, if and when they decide to make one.
There are clear reasons why Liverpool could benefit from Robertson staying put, of course. His experience and attitude will be a valuable asset, not to mention his ability. The Scot could also provide much needed support to new arrival Milos Kerkez if that transfer does go through.
But should Atletico table a sizeable offer and Robertson desire a new challenge in the twilight of his career, then Henderson's exit and the success of the subsequent rebuild shows there is life after major figures leave the club.
The hardest part would be seeing Robertson unable to milk the acclaim of the Anfield crowd that he so deserves after years of outstanding service.
James Quinlan
It would very much feel underwhelming to see Andy Robertson move on midway through the summer, given his eight years of service have been superb.
But, all eras must come to an end some way or another - it is fair to say Liverpool have coped brilliantly without giving proper farewells to players like Jordan Henderson and Fabinho when they were passed their best.
Like the midfield duo midway through the 2022/23 campaign, the end of Robertson's peak could be marked either around that moment of madness last December when he got sent off 17th minute against Fulham at Anfield, or a month later in Eindhoven when PSV's Johan Bakayoko sat him down on the turf before finishing coolly.
If Robertson chooses to go, like Henderson accepting that his role would be diminishing, with the new blood of Milos Kerkez arriving, then the club should not stand in his way. They could even get a profit on their £8m investment in 2017 - a true success.
But continuing to liken this to two summers' ago, Kerkez is less developed than either Alexis Mac Allister or Dominik Szoboszlai were when they replaced Liverpool's outgoing midfield stalwarts - the Hungarian would greatly benefit from having somebody of the Scotsman's quality to learn from for 12 months.
On a complete sidenote, if Robertson does go to Atletico then Madrid derbies next season up against a certain right-back would be truly worth the watch.