It has been confirmed that Andy Robertson is leaving Anfield on a free transfer at the end of this season and the tributes for the club vice-captain have poured in
Andy Robertson of Liverpool salutes the crowd
Andy Robertson's departure from Liverpool at the end of the season has been confirmed(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
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To adapt good old Oscar Wilde, to lose one world-class full-back for free may be regarded as misfortune - to lose both looks like carelessness. After official confirmation of his departure from Anfield at the end of the season, the tributes to Andy Robertson have been fulsome and deserved.
But the bottom line is that another elite player is leaving Liverpool without the club receiving any financial benefit. First Trent Alexander-Arnold (although Liverpool did get an early release fee of €10million), now Robertson, not to mention Mohamed Salah.
Liverpool could have received a fee for Robertson from Spurs in January but decided against it. Since that transfer window closed, Robertson has made only two Premier League starts - in the win at Sunderland and the home draw with Spurs.
It would only have been £5million and if Robertson helps Liverpool secure a Champions League place for next season, it will be a good decision. But the chances are Robertson’s involvement in the remaining seven Premier League games will be from the bench.
His regular position next season, wherever he ends up, will not be as a substitute. Robertson has not long turned 32 and will be a great asset to the club lucky enough to secure his services.
If there has been any evidence that Milos Kerkez is an upgrade on Robertson, it has been well camouflaged. And it is extremely unlikely the Hungarian will develop Robertson’s leadership qualities.
In terms of unifying, talismanic figures, Virgil van Dijk is looking more and more isolated. No-one has been more unifying than Robertson has at Anfield over the past nine seasons.
Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk (left), Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Andrew Robertson and Dominik Szoboszlai (right) link arms with the Premier League trophy in front of them as fans celebrate after the final whistle in the Premier League match at Anfield, Liverpool
Trent Alexander-Arnold, Andy Robertson and Mohamed Salah were three key members of Liverpool's Premier League-winning squad last season(Image: PA)
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The procession of past and present teammates - along with major figures from the club’s recent past - rushing to show their gratitude to Robertson was extraordinary. And every accolade was well-deserved. The current vice-captain has been an outstanding servant to Liverpool during what has been a generally thrilling period in its recent history.
Time, of course, waits for no-one. But was there really a strong suggestion that Robertson’s status as a first-choice left-back should have been under threat after the role he played in last season’s Premier League triumph?
He started 29 Premier League games last season and came off the bench in four. He was an unused substitute in five matches but two of those were after the title had been sealed. In terms of form and fitness, it was not as if he was obviously heading towards some sort of cliff-edge.
Milos Kerkez in action for Liverpool
Milos Kerkez has not been a significant upgrade on Andy Robertson at left-back(Image: Getty Images)
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