Andrew Robertson is Liverpool’s greatest modern-day bargain.
Signed for £10million (then $12.8m) from Hull City in July 2017, few could have predicted what the Scotland international has gone on to achieve in a red shirt.
Alongside making 363 appearances for the club, he won every major trophy. Domestically, there have been two Premier League titles — one under Jurgen Klopp and another with current head coach Arne Slot — as well as the FA Cup and League Cup twice. He also won the Champions League, Super Cup and Club World Cup.
The 31-year-old will go down as one of Liverpool’s modern greats and one of the best left-backs in the club’s history. With Liverpool in talks about selling him to Tottenham this month, as revealed by The Athletic, his exit would mark the end of an era.
On the pitch, he has embodied the spirit and desire of every supporter, possessing a passion and desire that allowed fans to live vicariously through him. He has been the heart and soul, never giving less than 110 per cent.
His lung-bursting, never-ending press against Manchester City in the 4-3 victory in January 2018 will forever be spoken about and replayed. So too will be how he got under Lionel Messi’s skin during the 4-0 victory over Barcelona in the Champions League semi-final second leg in 2019.
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After a slow start following his arrival, he seized his opportunity and developed into an integral member of Liverpool’s starting XI. He is a tenacious defender and carries an energetic presence, carrying the humility and commitment of a player who has exceeded every expectation during his career.
“Andy Robertson, in my eyes, is the best left-back in the world,” his former manager Klopp said back in 2021.
Alongside Trent Alexander-Arnold, Robertson redefined the full-back position in an attacking sense. The dynamic duo became creative forces during the peak of the Klopp era at Anfield.
Robertson’s 68 assists in all competitions put him 15th all-time in the club’s history — 56 of those came in the Premier League, with only Steven Gerrard (92), Mohamed Salah (89), Trent Alexander-Arnold (64) and Steve McManaman (58) recording more.
His influence has gone beyond his impact on the pitch and he formed part of Liverpool’s leadership group under Klopp. Slot has moved away from a formal leadership group, but Robertson was appointed vice-captain in the summer after Alexander-Arnold’s departure and he has continued to play a key role as a senior player, setting the tone.
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His infectious personality has endeared him to supporters and team-mates alike. You only had to watch the emotional interview he gave after Scotland sealed World Cup qualification about former team-mate Diogo Jota to understand the strong connections, bonds and friendships he has built inside the club.
Robertson spoke about his future earlier this month. Discussions had taken place between Liverpool and the player but he was yet to make any decisions after reluctantly accepting a different role. He was getting enjoyment out of it but admitted to reporters that, “I’m a player who wants to play,” after Liverpool’s FA Cup victory over Barnsley.
Atletico Madrid were interested in signing him last summer but the defender declined the move to the Spanish side and opted to remain at Anfield, even though he knew he was no longer a guaranteed first choice under Slot.
Left-back had been a position that needed to be upgraded following the inconsistency of both Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas in that role last season. Robertson’s form in the title-winning campaign did improve as the season went on but it was becoming apparent that he was no longer the player he was at his peak.
He has primarily been back-up to summer signing Milos Kerkez for much of this season. The 22-year-old, who arrived for around £40m from Bournemouth has excelled in recent weeks after a difficult start to the season.
Despite making 21 appearances in 2025-26 in all competitions, Robertson has only started seven times, four of which have been in the league. He returned to the team in early November and made a positive impact in victories over Aston Villa and Real Madrid during the team’s run of nine defeats in 12 matches.
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For a side that only have six senior defenders available, including Robertson, because of the long-term injuries to Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni, deciding to sell him would be a gamble.
Even if there is a financial benefit with Robertson set to be out of contract at the end of the season, and no longer a first-team regular, Liverpool are one defensive injury away from being on the brink of disaster.
As it stands, Joe Gomez, who has a well-documented injury history, would be required to serve as the primary backup for all four positions across the back line.
A Robertson sale would not mean Liverpool have to make a move in the market, however, because they do have another senior left-back — Tsimikas, currently on loan at Serie A side Roma.
The Athletic reported earlier this week that Tsimikas was on Nottingham Forest’s shortlist as they look to strengthen at left-back. The Greece international has found his opportunities limited in Italy, making 16 appearances in all competitions, of which eight were starts. Roma were willing to cut short the loan deal if they could source a replacement for him.
Liverpool have the ability to recall the defender but it would need the Italian side’s blessing. The 29-year-old would resume his role as a backup, one that has not fazed him previously.
“For me, 27 games here are worth more than 40 for another team in another league,” Tsimikas said in an interview with Greece’s Sport24 last summer. “I’m on the Broadway of football here. So it’s always a temptation to play more, but I’m happy.
“For five years, I’ve been happy. It’s difficult to reach the level where you play 27 games a season in a Liverpool shirt. I would like to play more, but with this team I was always happy and I always gave my best, so I was OK with the games I played.”
If Robertson and the club decide to part ways in the summer instead, he will receive an emotional send-off to celebrate his time at the club. But it seems the opportunity of more minutes elsewhere was something he could not turn down.
The parting of ways could be happening earlier than many expected, but that will make no difference to the outpouring of adulation and adoration he will receive from the Liverpool fans.