The January silly season has come and gone and one of the more worrying deals that came to life during the transfer window as the potential for veteran left back and vice captain Andrew Robertson to leave Liverpool for Tottenham Hotspur. Thankfully the move ended up falling through before getting settled and the window’s closing, but Robbo’s contract is still set to expire this summer, meaning the defender is still more likely to leave than stay.
After his goal on Friday that helped send Liverpool
into the next round of the FA Cup, Robertson shed some light on how it all went down, and reiterated his commitment to Liverpool – even if it seems Arne Slot isn’t entirely committed to him.
“There was obviously interest there,” Robertson said.
“There were discussions had with both sets of clubs. But the decision was that I wanted to stay. We stayed at Liverpool and that was the decision made.
“I was never not committed. I’ve been committed to Liverpool for the last eight and a half or nine years now and I’ll be committed until I’m no longer needed. That’s always been my mindset. This club has given me everything and I’ve given this club everything. It’s been a fantastic relationship so hopefully that continues and obviously January happened, but it is now gone.
“Now we move forward and like I said, my focus never came off trying to help the lads on the pitch and in training. Whatever was happening behind the scenes happened, and all I can say is that I kept focusing on football.”
Robertson’s contract expires in the summer, which could mean the end of a very successful 9 year tenure with the Reds. A fan favorite, and the Scottish player that helped bring the league back twice (because we can’t without a Scot on the squad, after all), losing Robertson at any point would be a big heartbreak. And after watching various contract negotiations with other teammates play out in front of the fans and the press, Robbo was adamant that whatever contract talks happen would happen in private.
“I’ve always said that will stay between me and the club,” the defender said.
“I don’t think it will get played out in public. It is not one of them. I have got an amazing relationship with Richard [Hughes] and with Mike Gordon and Michael Edwards.
“I’ve had a good relationship with these people and these people brought me to the football club. They have helped make me who I am, so in that respect, we’ve had a fantastic relationship.
“I think out of respect to them, and they have respected me, then the conversations will be in-house. When a decision is made, and we’re getting to the point where I only have three months left on my contract, it will be announced.”
We as fans have to believe that maybe the club will work something out, but with Robertson turning 32 in three days time, and a replacement finally gelling in with the squad in Milos Kerkez, the prospect is looking less likely. For better or worse, we won’t know until a decision is made, either.
It’s been said a million times how invaluable a personality like Robbo is to the squad, especially in times of turmoil like this season has been, so the loss of that leader and joy in the locker room would be a big miss.
