Andy Robertson may no longer be the flying full-back who rose to become the world’s best under Jurgen Klopp, but he is still a title-winning starter and deserving of a new contract.
Robertson is approaching his ninth Christmas period as a Liverpool player and it is currently set to be his last.
Having arrived at the club from Hull in 2017, Robertson signed improved terms in 2021 but that contract is coming to an end.
After eight-and-a-half years, more than 350 appearances and seven major honours, the 31-year-old’s current deal expires in the summer of 2026 and has yet to be renewed.
With Kostas Tsimikas out on loan, Liverpool’s academy left-backs suffering from injuries and Milos Kerkez far from ready to take the left-back shirt permanently, now is the time for Robertson and Liverpool to agree a new contract.
What Andy Robertson has said about a new contract
FRANKFURT, GERMANY - Wednesday, October 22, 2025: Liverpool's Andy Robertson applauds the supporters after the UEFA Champions League match between Eintracht Frankfurt and Liverpool FC at the Waldstadion. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
With Ibrahima Konate also out of contract at the end of the season, Liverpool could do without the circus that followed the club around during the last campaign, which eventually ended in Trent Alexander-Arnold departing.
Robertson has thankfully been slightly more transparent, but still kept his cards close to his chest.
The Liverpool vice-captain said after the Reds’ 3-0 defeat at Man City: “The relationship between me and the club has been a wonderful one. They’ve done everything for me, in terms of me and my family.
“Whatever happens will happen behind closed doors, I’m relaxed about the whole situation. If it is my last year, then it’s my last year. If it’s not, then so be it.
“I had a bit of a stressful summer in terms of decisions. I’ve said to myself, ‘Just try and enjoy the next few months’ and then, obviously it will start probably taking over my life.
“That’s what happens when you go into your last six months.”
Andy Robertson is a safer option than Milos Kerkez
Milos Kerkez and Andy Robertson’s Liverpool vs. Burnley (Richard Sellers/PA)
The hasty decision to install Kerkez as Liverpool’s first-choice left-back has now been reversed by Arne Slot, who is benefitting from having one less project to think about, as evidenced by Robertson’s performances against Aston Villa and Real Madrid.
The Scotland captain is a firm and predictable hand, a player from whom you know what to expect. In a time of transition, that is far more valuable than the sometimes erratic showings of his Hungarian understudy.
With Robertson back in the team more regularly, the relationships he has built over time with those around him, Virgil van Dijk, Cody Gakpo, Curtis Jones and Alexis Mac Allister, should hopefully serve to benefit the Reds during a period of instability.
In the Premier League this season, FotMob tells us that Robertson has created 1.85 chances per 90 minutes compared to Kerkez’s 0.64 – that’s nearly three times as many from the senior figure.
While other areas of the pitch struggle, if Liverpool can re-find their solidity on the left, it would go a long way to rekindling a semblance of consistency from a team that have lost seven of their last 10 matches.
Andy Robertson’s weekly wages
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Monday, September 29, 2025: Liverpool's Andy Robertson during a training session at the AXA Training Centre ahead of the UEFA Champions League match between Galatasaray A.?. and Liverpool FC. (Photo by Richard Martin-Roberts/Propaganda)
Of course, the argument made above for playing Robertson over Kerkez is of sound reasoning in the short term.
However, Liverpool officials have to think more about their long-term strategy than the head coach.
Last season they decided that Mo Salah, despite turning 33 years old in June, was worth being paid a reported £480,000 per week.
Thankfully, agreeing to a new salary for Robertson won’t make the Reds’ cheque-signers baulk in quite the same way.
The Scot is widely said to be earning about £160,000 per week. Liverpool would of course prefer him to take a pay cut to remain on Merseyside, but paying out the same salary again on a two-year deal, for example, should be permissible.
What are the alternatives?
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Monday, August 4, 2025: Liverpool's Kostas Tsimikas during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Athletic Bilbao at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
From a purely playing perspective, one of your club’s two greatest-ever left-backs is not an easy task.
Kerkez is still in line to be Robertson’s successor, but the need to introduce him slowly has become obvious since the beginning of the season.
Still, even with an improved Kerkez, Liverpool would need another left-back if they are to compete across all competitions.
There is talent in the youth ranks; Owen Beck and Luke Chambers are particularly well thought of, but each has suffered injury problems in the last year.
Meanwhile, Kostas Tsimikas is struggling for game time at Roma and isn’t thought of as a long-term solution. It stands to reason, then, that paying Robertson for an extra two years makes more financial sense for Liverpool than buying another.
Aside from his on-field ability, Slot should be aiming to keep his vice-captain around for his experience and mentality.
It is sometimes forgotten by supporters just how crucial it is to have relentless trainers and leaders in the squad. Liverpool arguably wouldn’t have been the force they were under Klopp if it weren’t for James Milner‘s presence despite not playing every match.
Robertson was developed under Milner’s watch; he has grown alongside Van Dijk; he knows what it takes to win and win ruthlessly.
These players drive standards around the training ground, which are invaluable. In a time when new players are still settling and the squad is changing, Robertson’s residence could be as vital as ever.