LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, September 15, 2026: Tottenham Hotspur's Andy Robertson waves to the Liverpool supporters after the Football League Cup 3rd Round match between Liverpool FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Anfield. The game ended 3-1 with Liverpool progressing the 4th Round. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, September 15, 2026: Tottenham Hotspur's Andy Robertson waves to the Liverpool supporters after the Football League Cup 3rd Round match between Liverpool FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Anfield. The game ended 3-1 with Liverpool progressing the 4th Round. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Andy Robertson returned to Anfield as an opposition player on Tuesday, and the new Tottenham left-back was given a reception Andoni Iraola says he “deserves.”
Robertson came off the bench in the second half of Liverpool’s 3-1 win and received a standing ovation from those inside Anfield.
It marked a surreal occasion as the left-back who became a legend of the club over nine years pulled on the captain’s armband for another club.
That it came in another defeat for Tottenham will leave a bitter feeling for Robertson – who is yet to win in five games for Spurs so far, having sat out their only victory over Charlton in the previous round.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, September 15, 2026: Liverpool supporters stand to applaud former Liverpool player Andy Robertson as he comes off the bench to captain Tottenham Hotspur during the Football League Cup 3rd Round match between Liverpool FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Anfield. Liverpool won 3-1. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, September 15, 2026: Liverpool supporters stand to applaud former Liverpool player Andy Robertson as he comes off the bench to captain Tottenham Hotspur during the Football League Cup 3rd Round match between Liverpool FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Anfield. Liverpool won 3-1. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
But speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live after the game, Iraola paid tribute to the 32-year-old and how he deserved the reception he was given.
“I think he deserves all this,” the head coach explained.
“I was happy. I was thinking he honestly deserves this because he has given so much to Liverpool.”
Should Andy Robertson have stayed at Liverpool?
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, September 15, 2026: Tottenham Hotspur's Andy Robertson applauds the Liverpool supporters after the Football League Cup 3rd Round match between Liverpool FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Anfield. The game ended 3-1 with Liverpool progressing the 4th Round. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, September 15, 2026: Tottenham Hotspur's Andy Robertson applauds the Liverpool supporters after the Football League Cup 3rd Round match between Liverpool FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Anfield. The game ended 3-1 with Liverpool progressing the 4th Round. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
There was a disappointment among fans as Robertson’s decision to leave the club was announced in April, and he later revealed that he had effectively nixed talks over a new contract himself.
Liverpool had taken a new direction with the signing of Milos Kerkez – who is a decade younger – and the Scot was eager to take up a role elsewhere.
But it is hard to escape the feeling that this was a move that benefited neither party, at least in the short term, with Liverpool still lacking assurance in the left-back role and Robertson joining a Tottenham side in turmoil.
However it is also a decision which must be respected, with the veteran turning down advances from Juventus to stay in the Premier League and remain with his family in England.
Robertson will again return to Anfield in December when Liverpool and Tottenham clash in the Premier League, and he will hope that the situation has improved at his new club by then.
In his post-match press conference, Tottenham boss Roberto De Zerbi named Robertson among the “incredible” players who give him confidence that his side will eventually click.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, September 15, 2026: Tottenham Hotspur's Andy Robertson during the Football League Cup 3rd Round match between Liverpool FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Anfield. Liverpool won 3-1. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, September 15, 2026: Tottenham Hotspur's Andy Robertson during the Football League Cup 3rd Round match between Liverpool FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Anfield. Liverpool won 3-1. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“I believe in my players, I have a big confidence, a big opinion of my players,” he told reporters, per Football London.
“And when we arrive to find the click, to win a game, I think we enjoy with these players, because the qualities of the players are incredible.
“Have a look at Marmoush, Savio, Kudus, Lucas Bergvall, Mateus Fernandes, Robertson, don’t forget Pedro Porro. Solanke, Solanke top, he’s a good player.
“It’s a tough moment, but we have to be stronger to prepare our best for the next game with Villa and to find this click.”
Football – Football League Cup – 3rd Round – Liverpool FC v Tottenham Hotspur FC
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, September 15, 2026: Liverpool's James McConnell during the Football League Cup 3rd Round match between Liverpool FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Football – Football League Cup – 3rd Round – Liverpool FC v Tottenham Hotspur FC
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, September 15, 2026: Liverpool's Lewis Koumas during the Football League Cup 3rd Round match between Liverpool FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Football – Football League Cup – 3rd Round – Liverpool FC v Tottenham Hotspur FC
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, September 15, 2026: Liverpool's goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili during the Football League Cup 3rd Round match between Liverpool FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)