Scotland star Andy Robertson has opened up on interest from Sunderland, Burnley, Everton and Stoke City earlier in his career.
Scotland international Andy Robertson has admitted he snubbed interest from Sunderland before he embarked on what would become a highly successful stint at Liverpool.
The veteran full-back solidified his position as one of the best left-backs in Premier League history when he became a two-time Premier League champions, a Champions League winner and lifted the Carabao Cup, FA Cup, FIFA World Club Cup and UEFA Super Cup during a nine-year stay at Anfield.
Andy Robertson lifted the Champions League and Premier League with Liverpool.placeholder image
Andy Robertson lifted the Champions League and Premier League with Liverpool. | Getty Images.
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However, Robertson’s career could have been very different after Sunderland and Burnley made a move for his services almost four years before he established himself as a firm favourite with the red half of Merseyside. However, the left-back opted to remain with Hull City until the summer of 2017 when Liverpool agreed an £8m deal with the Tigers and saw off rival interest from then-Premier League rivals Stoke City.
Reflecting on a possible move away from Hull over 13 years ago, Robertson, who joined Spurs on a free transfer this summer, revealed Sunderland’s league position at the time of their interest played a key factor in him remaining with the Tigers.
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He told The Scotsman: “In January 2013, things weren’t looking good for Hull. Thankfully we got Marco Silva in who nearly saved us. At that time, I think Burnley and Sunderland came in for me. But Sunderland were rock bottom at that point. My wife was 22 and we had just found out she was pregnant, so she was panicking. She was saying we need to protect our future. I told her to just trust me. Anyway, the window shut, and I stayed at Hull and I remember meeting my agent.
“Stoke were in for me at that point, but they were like 7th or 8th, and in the European positions. I told him I knew Liverpool were talking, that they were a top club, but there was no way...I needed to make another step [before joining them]. We were in the meeting for nearly an hour, and five minutes before the end, the chief scout from Liverpool phoned and said they wanted to meet me. Everything we’d spoke about was ripped up and I went to Liverpool.”
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