Liverpool will eventually tie legendary left-back Andy Robertson down to a new contract at the end of the season, former scout Mick Brown has claimed.
Robertson has been a remarkable servant for the Reds over the past eight-and-a-half years, growing into a world-class player and winning many trophies.
The Scot’s current Liverpool deal runs out this summer, however, and having been strongly linked with Tottenham in January, there is every chance he leaves on a free transfer.
In an interview with Football Insider, Brown talked up the idea of the Reds making a big U-turn, though, keeping hold of him and sealing a contract extension:
“Robertson’s contract situation is still up in the air. I think they’d be crazy to let him go, in all honesty, because every time he’s picked to play he proves why he’s still such an influential part of the team. He showed that against Wolves again, and I think Slot is going to have to take notice.
“The plan at Liverpool was always to bring Kerkez in, get him used to the side while Robertson was still there, and then let Robertson move on. But he’s so influential when he plays and he’s a big voice in the dressing room, you can’t replace those types of qualities easily.
“The positive at the moment as well, is that if he plays or if he doesn’t, you’ve got that choice. If you let him go, he will need to be replaced. So you go out and spend big money on another left-back to compete with Kerkez, only for him to struggle, rather than sticking with a player you know will give his best?
“I think giving Robertson a contact extension, even if it’s only a year or maybe two, is the smart decision and ultimately the one Liverpool will make.”
Should Liverpool seal a new contract for Robertson?
Robertson isn’t the force he was four or five years ago, but his performance at Wolves in the FA Cup recently showed that he still possesses a huge amount of quality.
There is definitely a good argument to say that a new Liverpool deal would be a good thing, not least because of the experience and winning mentality that he has.
If he is happy to be an understudy to Milos Kerkez, he could continue to be a strong squad player for another few years, before then departing.
That said, losing Robertson at this point in his career wouldn’t be a disaster for Liverpool, and it’s simply a case of those high up at the club deciding how much he has left in the tank, and the player himself looking at what is best for him.