Andy Robertson lifts lid on discussions over his Liverpool future

Liverpool full-back Andy Robertson says there have been good discussions with the club over his future, but he is still unclear what is ahead for him.

The 31-year-old has become a club legend since signing from Hull City in 2017, making 342 appearances in all competitions for the Reds.

The Scot has won two Premier League titles, the Champions League, FA Cup and two League Cups in a brilliant spell at Anfield.

However, he is into the final year of his contract and Liverpool are expected to bring in Milos Kerkez from Bournemouth this summer, at least as competition but very possibly as a replacement for Robertson at left-back.

Despite the Reds winning the Premier League title last season, Robertson did not have his best campaign and former Liverpool star Jamie Carragher called in January for the club to sign a new left-back.

Robertson has not confirmed whether he will stay or go this summer, but seems happy enough with the situation he is in, saying talks with the Liverpool hierarchy have been positive.

‘We have discussed [my future], of course we have,’ he told Sky Sports. ‘We’ve had good discussions, me and the club, but what the future holds, I’m not sure.

‘All I know is I fly off on holiday and it’s well needed. I need a rest after a long season, and then I look forward to pre-season. That’s all my focus is.

‘I can’t look too far ahead, I never have done that so I’m not going to start doing that now.

‘I know the position I’m in, I know I’ve only got a year left. A lot’s getting spoken about it, a lot’s getting said, but my pure focus is focussing on being a dad for the next couple of weeks and enjoying that time with the kids.

‘Then I’ll try and come back in the best shape possible for pre-season, and then we’ll see what the future holds when those decisions come.’

Robertson knows competition is coming

Robertson is speaking like he is aware that he could have a reduced role in the first team next year and is considering whether to accept that or not.

The 84-cap Scotland international has no complaints, saying new, younger signings will always come in at an ambitious club.

‘I think at any big club I think you always have to keep moving, the club always moves forwards,’ he said.

‘Just now we’re at the top. We obviously won the league and it’s important that the club try to keep improving and try to keep finding ways to do that.

‘The players that we’re linked with are all younger players and they’re all exciting players as well. So when you play for a big club like Liverpool, you expect challenges, you expect to have competition. I’ve always faced that and so has everyone in their own positions.

‘Wherever we fit into that, if you’re happy with you’re role, you stay and you do it, and if you’re not, then I’m sure there will be some people out the door as well. But that’s the nature of football, it’s one of the biggest clubs in the world and we have to keep moving.’

Carragher’s criticism

Carragher’s comments in January came after a draw with Manchester Untied, when he suggested Robertson is past his best and his back-up is not of starting XI quality.

‘Liverpool need to sign a full-back. I think they need a left back,’ he told Sky Sports.

‘I just think Andy Robertson, who is an absolute legend, is just hanging on in every game. I don’t think Kostas Tsimikas is quite of the standard to come in and replace him.’

A deal is still being hashed out for Kerkez, with the Cherries wanting £45m and discussions ongoing, but an agreement is expected to be reached.