With Andy Robertson set to leave Liverpool at the end of the season, Arne Slot has paid tribute to a “great person” while hinting at the reason for his exit.
Robertson announced on Thursday night that he will depart the club on the expiry of his contract this summer, ending a nine-year stay at Anfield.
For many it marks the end of an era, with the left-back symbolising the spirit and style of Jurgen Klopp‘s Liverpool and emerging as a leader on and off the pitch.
But his decision to leave largely rests on the lack of playing time he has been afforded this season under Slot, having lost his first-choice spot to Milos Kerkez.
“First of all, he had many great seasons over here,” Slot’s told reporters on Friday in tribute to his vice-captain.
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“As a player but I think people got to know him as a great person as well. I got to know him as a great person.
“I think every teammate of his will tell you how funny he is and how great of a person he is, and I think that has been shown a lot on social media as well from our people.
“But what I remember most about him probably is the intensity he always plays with.
“We’ve seen, we learned something about intensity two days ago, but I can also remember Robbo making a press from the left-back position to the right wing a few years ago. I showed that to the players I was working with back then.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 25, 2025: Liverpool's Conor Bradley, Andy Robertson, Harvey Elliott, Alisson Becker celebrate with the trophy after the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Crystal Palace FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“He’s won everything over here, served this club for so many years, really loves this club.
“It’s been a great nine years for him at the club, but we also saw that this season he didn’t play as much as he was used to.
“He’s still played a lot, but not as much as he’s used to, and as a result of that he’s leaving next season.
“But not only that, I think it’s also difficult to be in that position longer than a season.”
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - Saturday, January 24, 2026: Liverpool substitutes (L-R) goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, Andy Robertson and Curtis Jones on the bench the FA Premier League match between Bournemouth AFC and Liverpool FC at Dean Court. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Robertson, who is attracting interest from Juventus, Atletico Madrid, Napoli and Tottenham among others, has only made 15 starts this season, clocking 1,596 minutes on the pitch from 31 appearances in total.
His game time has effectively halved from the title-winning campaign last time out – and with Kerkez 10 years his junior at 22, the situation is unlikely to change.
Slot was asked whether the pursuit of more regular first-team football prompted Robertson to decline a new contract.
“That’s a question I think it’s smarter to ask him than ask me,” he replied.
“I think every player wants as much regular first-team football as possible. But it’s a question you should ask him.”
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