There is very little to admire about Liverpool this season, but what does the future hold for Andy Robertson and Virgil van Dijk?
The Reds’ feeble mentality saw them lose 3-2 at Bournemouth on Saturday, with the late nature of the winning goal making it all the more brutal.
Here, Henry Jackson (@HenryJackson87) and The Redmen TV’s Dan Clubbe (@dan_clubbe) discuss yet another bad result for Liverpool and a number of key current talking points.
Can Liverpool really afford to let Andy Robertson go this month?
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - Saturday, January 24, 2026: Liverpool's Andy Robertson during the FA Premier League match between Bournemouth AFC and Liverpool FC at Dean Court. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
DAN: In short, no. This is one I feel pretty passionate about for a number of reasons, most of which were evident yesterday.
Not only did Slot bring Robertson on due to Kerkez’s fitness concerns, but that was not a performance of a group that is blessed with leaders and that can afford to lose any of its important figures, let alone the vice-captain.
On the pitch, leadership aside, having been fortunate enough to attend a few training sessions down the years, Robbo is the life and soul of them.
He is full of character, the loudest voice, the most obvious presence, always setting standards along the way.
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - Saturday, January 24, 2026: Liverpool substitutes (L-R) goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, Andy Robertson and Curtis Jones on the bench the FA Premier League match between Bournemouth AFC and Liverpool FC at Dean Court. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
I really don’t feel we should be allowing those types of personailities to walk away right now – certainly not for £5 million, which in today’s money is one decent sponsorship deal.
Furthermore, whilst Tsimikas is a perfectly sound understudy, I’m not convinced he’s a man who will be keeping Kerkez quite as honest, day in day out at training, in order to make sure the Hungarian earns the shirt.
That is a factor Kerkez himself has already spoken about – learning from the influence of Robertson, there really is nobody better.
Plus, without Leoni, Bradley and Konate currently, and concern over Gomez’s knock and no sign of defensive reinforcements arriving, allowing anyone who can play a defensive role, especially as an occasional auxiliary centre-back, feels negligent.
HENRY: I couldn’t agree more.
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - Saturday, January 24, 2026: Liverpool's Andy Robertson arrives before the FA Premier League match between Bournemouth AFC and Liverpool FC at Dean Court. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
I would find Robbo being allowed to leave baffling, apart from the obvious fact that he may want more playing time.
Let’s face it, though, his place in Scotland’s team isn’t exactly under threat even if he’s on the bench for Liverpool until the summer.
We’re already wary of Kerkez not playing too much, so where’s the sense in making our depth at left-back worse?
I know Tsimikas could return from loan, but as Dan alludes to, he is a downgrade on Robbo!
It would also be a sad way for such a great Liverpool career to end – he deserves an incredible farewell in front of a packed Anfield.
What do you make of Van Dijk’s form and leadership this season?
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - Saturday, January 24, 2026: Liverpool's captain Virgil van Dijk during the FA Premier League match between Bournemouth AFC and Liverpool FC at Dean Court. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
DAN: Unfortunately, too often he’s been at the scene of the crimes, and far more regularly than usual, the prime suspect.
Often, an accusation levelled at him was his casual defending style – something that looks brilliant when the attacker wilts under the aura.
But more and more, opposition players are backing themselves against Virgil – and Liverpool at large – and it’s up to him to act and react, and he just isn’t.
Far too lax, far too quick to look to apportion blame elsewhere, far too little accountability, far too little leadership.
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - Saturday, January 24, 2026: Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk (L) speaks to referee Michael Salisbury during the FA Premier League match between Bournemouth AFC and Liverpool FC at Dean Court. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
He is a good 15 to 20 per cent down from his normal level and lapses in concentration are becoming far too common.
Credit for the goal, credit for never hiding and facing upto the criticism as captain, but we need so much more right now.
In truth, I was never convinced by Van Dijk the captain, perhaps due to following one of the most natural born leaders I’ve seen.
But right now, when the going gets tough, I’m once again left wondering whether he is the man to take us out of the doldrums whilst also maintaining his own performance levels.
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - Saturday, January 24, 2026: Liverpool's captain Virgil van Dijk celebrates after scoring his side's first goal during the FA Premier League match between Bournemouth AFC and Liverpool FC at Dean Court. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
HENRY: I will start by saying I worship Virg – he is as good as any centre-back I’ve ever seen at his best.
But he is starting to annoy me this season.
As Dan says, it’s the lack of accountability and blaming others, almost as though he can’t possibly be in the wrong.
You are, I’m afraid, Virg. Far too often.
It is clearly a hard season for him, with the defensive personnel often changing and other issues to deal with off the pitch, not least Jota’s death.
But we need better leadership from him currently, and more focus.
What’s the best Liverpool can hope for now this season?
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - Saturday, January 24, 2026: Liverpool's Mohamed Salah reacts to conceeding a last minute goal after the FA Premier League match between Bournemouth AFC and Liverpool FC at Dean Court. The game finished 2-3.(Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
DAN: A top-four finish is the bare minimum in terms of the Premier League – anything outside of that would have to be viewed as a failure.
When it comes to the FA Cup and Champions League, with this football club and the latter, you just never know.
A kind draw, a few slices of luck and a strong tail wind will be required for both.
But one thing remains certain for me: despite the issues, we still possess top-class footballers, match-winners and the ability to be more than a match for anyone on our day.
For me, I’d be all in on the FA Cup.
Champions League goes without saying, but if I were prioritising, FA Cup would be at the top of my list because I think it’s our best hope of salvaging a season that has otherwise been a borderline calamity.
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - Saturday, January 24, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Arne Slot applauds the travelling supporters after the FA Premier League match between Bournemouth AFC and Liverpool FC at Dean Court. The game finished 2-3.(Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
HENRY: I wish I had Dan’s level of confidence in those competitions!
Ultimately, I just don’t think the mentality is there to go far in either of them, and we will be picked off once we come up against strong opponents.
Liverpool are a special club that can do freak things – nobody expected 2005 to happen, for example – but this side are a soft touch with zero belief in themselves.
Fourth place in the league has to be the aim, but am I confident of that right now? Absolutely not.
Sorry for the negativity, but blame Slot and the players!