Scotland captain labelled as a ‘winner’ as Liverpool boss opens up on player’s Anfield exit
Scotland captain Andy Robertson will be remembered as a player who “won it all” when he departs Liverpool upon the expiry of his contract in the summer, says head coach Arne Slot.
The 32-year-old confirmed he would be leaving Anfield after nine seasons on Merseyside, having fallen down the pecking order following the £40million arrival of Milos Kerkez from AFC Bournemouth last summer. He has started just 15 games this term.
A bargain £8.5million signing from Hull City in the summer of 2017, Robertson has made 373 appearances for the Reds, winning several trophies, including the English Premier League and the UEFA Champions League. The left-back has also been named in the PFA Team of the Year three times and was named in the UEFA Team of the Year in 2019.
Andy Robertson will depart Liverpool as a "winner", says Anfield boss Arne Slot.placeholder image
Andy Robertson will depart Liverpool as a "winner", says Anfield boss Arne Slot. | AFP via Getty Images
"First of all, he has many great seasons over here as a player, but I think many people got to see him as a great person as well,” said Slot. “I got to know him as a great person. Every team mate of him will tell you how funny he is, and how great of a person he is. And I think that has been shown a lot of social media as well, from our social media people.
“We have learned something about intensity two days ago, but I can remember Robbo making a press from left full-back to right-back a few years ago and I showed that to the players I was working with then [at Feyenoord].”
Linked with a potential move to boyhood club Celtic, Robertson is now a target for several European clubs, including Atletico Madrid, Tottenham Hotspur, Juventus, and Napoli following his confirmed departure on Thursday.
Robertson's 47-year-old boss paid tribute to his achievements at Liverpool and admitted that a lack of game time this season influenced Robertson's decision to leave. He also explained the key qualities Robertson offers to potential future clubs.
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"But what I remember most about him is the intensity he is always playing with,” said Slot. “He's won everything over here, and served his club for so many years. It's the reason he loves this club so it's been a great nine years for him at the club. But also we see he didn't play as much this season as he was used to - still a lot, but not as much as he was used to. As a result of that he's leaving next season. But not only that, it is difficult to be in that position longer than just a season. Every player wants as much regular football as possible.”