Ally McCoist has backed Andy Robertson to stay at Liverpool next season and provide a serious challenge to Milos Kerkez at left-back.
The Scotland international has been linked with a move away from Anfield as Arne Slot looks to have now found his long-term successor. Kerkez completed his $55 million move to Anfield last week after months of speculation.
Even before the deal was confirmed though, an exit for Robertson was being touted, with Atletico Madrid linked with a move. Diego Simeone’s side though now looks to have turned its attention to Atalanta’s Matteo Ruggeri, and a move for Robertson is looking less likely.
Whether any more options emerge for the 31-year-old remains to be seen, but his fellow countryman McCoist has backed him to stay put and offer competition for Kerkez.
“Andy Robertson has had a fantastic career,” McCoist told talkSPORT. “He was released by Celtic, worked his way back up and it is one of the great Scottish success stories.
“He has played in a top team at Liverpool and won everything. You could see last season that his time at Liverpool was perhaps coming to an end because he wasn't playing every game.
One of Andy Robertson or Kostas Tsimikas could depart Liverpool following Milos Kerkez's signing
One of Andy Robertson or Kostas Tsimikas could depart Liverpool following Milos Kerkez's signing (Image: Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
“He will speak to Arne Slot. Kerkez is a terrific player but it wouldn't surprise me if Andy Robertson rolled his sleeves up and said 'I am going nowhere' and took on the challenge.
“He is extremely fit and could still have many more years ahead of him. If he decides to move on, there would be no shortage of offers for him, home or abroad. He might fancy two or three years abroad and nobody could begrudge him that.”
With Kerkez now on board, it is likely that Liverpool will look to move one of Robertson or Kostas Tsimikas on this summer.
Robertson already addressed his future before Kerkez’s arrival was confirmed, and appeared to give his backing for the club’s pursuit of the 21-year-old.
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"The club have identified certain positions where they want to get new blood in, it looks like players we're linked to are all younger players and they are all exciting players as well.
"So when you play for a big club like Liverpool you expect challenges, you expect competition and I have always faced that, everyone here has faced that in their own positions and I expect nothing less.
"I want the club to be ambitious, they are doing that and wherever we fit into that, if we're happy with our role, we stay and we do it and if not then I am sure there will be a few out the door as well. But you know, that's the nature of football and it's one of the biggest clubs in the world and we keep moving."