Andy Robertson has released an emotional statement after it was confirmed the Scotland international will leave Liverpool at the end of the season following nine years at Anfield
Andy Robertson confirmed he will leave Liverpool at the end of the season.
Andy Robertson confirmed he will leave Liverpool at the end of the season(Image: LFC TV)
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Liverpool defender Andy Robertson has admitted he feels better that the news of his exit has been revealed. The Scotland international will leave the Reds at the end of the season after a trophy-laden nine years on Merseyside.
However, the full-back, who signed from then-relegated Hull City for £8million, says he will 'never accept' himself as being an Anfield legend. The 32-year-old will leave as a free agent at the end of the season when his contract expires.
Robertson, who has won two Premier League titles, Champions League, Club World Cup, FA Cup and League Cup on Merseyside, has seen his role within the Reds first-team diminish following the arrival of Milos Kerkez, last summer. The left-back is set to lead Scotland out at their first World Cup since 1998 when Steve Clarke's side embark on the tournament, held across Canada, Mexico and the United States.
He told the official Liverpool website: "I think I feel better now that it’s out in the open. The hardest bit [in] the last certainly couple of weeks and months is some people that are close to me in the training ground don’t know and more importantly, the fans.
"The closer it gets, the more and more questions you start to get. I’ve always said that the fans are the most important people at this club and I just think now is the time to tell them what’s going on and that obviously this will be my last year.
"I just think it’s better being out in the open, that now I can fully focus on the team from now until the end of the season. I think it’s important that I do that, I’ve always done that.
"But the time to have the emotional farewell and tell the fans and the people connected to this club what they mean to me, that will come closer to the end. I don’t think I’m quite ready for that yet. It’s just to try to get it out there so I can now be open and honest with everyone."
He has been a key player for the last nine years after having to work for his place in Jurgen Klopp's first team. It has been another disappointing Premier League title defence, Robertson's minutes have been reduced.
Robertson was the topic of interest from Tottenham Hotspur during the January transfer window but the Scot remained at Anfield. He will join Mohamed Salah in bidding an emotional Liverpool farewell in May.
There will be hopes that both Salah and Robertson can end the season with the Champions League but the club face an uphill task in overcoming a two-goal deficit against Paris Saint-Germain in the second leg.
The Tartan Army captain said: "I’ll let other people say if I’m a Liverpool legend or not – I think you know me well enough that I will never accept that. But from minute one I came into this football club, I wanted to be successful. I wanted to try to bring trophies back to this football club, try to help put us back onto a place where I believe this football club belongs.
Salah and Robertson celebrate.
Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson will leave Liverpool at the end of the season.
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"I’m very proud that I’ve been a part of fantastic teams that have been able to do that. The club means everything to me. The people within the club mean the world to me. The fans have always taken to me. I always remember my debut against Crystal Palace when I was a relative nobody – obviously signing from Hull City, only £8 million.
"I played my debut and already the Kop had sung my name. It was a moment I couldn’t quite believe. Then the next three months I’m not seen again, which I remind Jürgen [Klopp] of quite a lot. When I found my chance, that’s what kept me going in that time and when I got my chance I just wanted to make the people within this club and the supporters proud of the left-back they’re seeing performing week in, week out.
"They have been outstanding with me, unbelievable with me. Always supported me, always been so positive about me. I couldn’t have asked for a better fan base. I couldn’t have asked for better people within the training ground, keeping me going. The nine years, I’ll look back with a big smile on my face. I do get emotional at times.
"Now is not that time but saying goodbye to everyone will be difficult. But it’s also the time to do so and it’s also something to celebrate with the nine years we’ve all had together."