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Andy Robertson has been relegated to second-choice left-back since the arrival of Milos Kerkez in the summer, and Tottenham are reportedly working on a deal to bring the Scotland captain to the club.
Liverpool considered Tottenham’s offer out of respect for Robertson but ultimately decided they need him at Anfield for now. Slot deployed Robertson in the second half of Saturday’s 3-2 defeat to Bournemouth, acknowledging that Kerkez could not play the full 90 minutes due to his workload.
The Scotland skipper has made just four league starts this season but could feature more in the second half of the campaign, with the outcome of Wednesday’s Champions League league phase finale set to determine whether Liverpool, currently inside the top eight, will need to participate in the high-stakes knockout play-offs.
However, keeping Robertson could mean the Reds lose the chance of a transfer fee for a player who may leave on a free transfer in the summer, while also potentially denying him the opportunity for a longer-term deal at Spurs.
Liverpool’s defensive options are already stretched. Slot will be without both Joe Gomez and Ibrahima Konate for the Qarabag clash, leaving him with only senior centre-back Virgil van Dijk.
Despite this, Liverpool boss Arne Slot has said he expects Robertson to remain at the club beyond the end of the January transfer window.
“Robbo is part of the team tomorrow evening. He has been part of this squad for so many years,” Slot said. “I am happy to have him and I am glad he is available because that is not normal for us right now.
“He will be part of the team and nothing is happening on this side. It’s hard to say anything definite in this world we are in but I expect him to stay.”
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