Andy Robertson reflected on his time at Liverpool as he runs down his contract with the club.
Bought for a pittance, the Scotsman had been an admirable servant for the side, and his presence will be missed at Anfield. As part of an announcement of the news, he looked back at the last nine years.
‘I wanted to bring trophies back to this club’
Robertson arrived from relegated Hull City in 2017 as an alternative to Alberto Moreno. He won the Man of the Match Award on his Premier League debut for the Reds, but it was not until an ankle injury for the Spaniard that Robertson received a solid starting spot in the final weeks of the year.
He seized that moment with both hands. Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold became renowned as flying fullbacks for Jurgen Klopp, who used the creativity from the flanks to evolve his energetic, high-pressing outfit and find different ways to create problems for opponents. The Scotsman would register 11 Premier League assists in the 2018/19 campaign, earning himself a new long-term deal.
He took that tally to 12 the next season, and the trophies began to fill the cabinet in Merseyside. He became the first Scotsman to start in a Champions League winning team when Tottenham were defeated 2-0 in the final in 2019, and at the end of the year, he lifted the Club World Cup crown. To top it off, Liverpool lifted the Premier League in 2020, ending a 31-year wait for the honour.
Another long-term contract came the way of Robertson in the summer of 2021, and he would be part of another memorable season for the Reds. Liverpool lifted the FA Cup and Carabao Cup in the spring of 2022, coming within two games of a historic quadruple. Things have tailed off for the club and player since, but he still went on to win another Carabao Cup and Premier League title.
“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. I’m very proud 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 Jurgen Klopp of quite a lot!*
“Then obviously 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.”
‘This club means everything’
The latest era of Liverpool success shows how the club continues to be connected to its rich past. For many, Robertson remained an embodiment of the characteristics that have made it a great institution.
The infamous pressing run against Manchester City in a 4-3 victory in January 2018 was the epitome of the energy that the Scotsman brought to the table. A dynamic, overlapping threat, his work ethic, gamesmanship and intensity endeared him to the fans in a way that is already standing the test of time.
Robertson’s place in the starting eleven was threatened by Kostas Tsimikas for phases of the 2021/22 season, and he has only started six topflight games this season upon the arrival of Milos Kerkez. A much more defensively disciplined figure than Alexander-Arnold, his peak did not last for as long.
However, the supporters have not wavered in their appreciation of the 32-year-old, who has not completely lost the spark of yesteryear. He ran back the clock to their delight in a FA Cup win over Wolves in February, and he will capitalise on any other opportunities to wear the red shirt before the end of the season. Along with Mohamed Salah, a legendary figure will be missed come May.
“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.
“From the minute I came into Melwood in 2017 until my very last day at the AXA, I’ll give my all for this club. That’s what I think has brought success to this club over time, where everyone has given absolutely everything. We have a duty as players to finish this season as positively as possible.
“It has not been the season that we’ve wanted but it’s up to us to try to finish it on as good a note as possible. For me in particular, that’s what will keep me going from now until the end of the season. I know my journey is coming to an end – I know it has been an incredible journey – but I won’t let up.
“This club means everything to me. The fans mean everything to me. The people connected to the club mean everything to me. And I think I owe it to them still that until my very last day, I’ll give everything to this football club, which I’ve done over the last nine years and I’m very proud of that.”