Andy Robertson is a goal for Atletico Madrid as Liverpool head in direction of an enormous change at left-back, and the Scot could have already hinted at his departure.
It’s now extensively reported, together with from sources on Merseyside, that Atletico see Robertson as their precedence goal in strengthening at left-back this summer time.
That comes with the 31-year-old getting into the ultimate 12 months of his contract at Liverpool and the membership in talks to signal Bournemouth‘s Milos Kerkez, who’s 10 years his junior.
Whereas hyperlinks with Atletico appear to have come out of the blue, Robertson’s feedback on his future in current months could have indicated a change is on the playing cards.
March 20: “I’ll all the time again myself”
Responding to hyperlinks with plenty of left-backs, and particularly Kerkez, throughout a press convention on Scotland responsibility, Robertson insisted he was up for the problem:
“Look, that’s half and parcel of it. You play for one of many greatest golf equipment on the earth and I’ve been very fortunate, however I wouldn’t put it right down to luck.
“I look again on these eight years that I’ve had there because the beginning left-back at top-of-the-line golf equipment on the earth for that lengthy, and that’s one thing I’m very happy with.
“Your time comes and I don’t suppose it’s my time but, however no matter occurs with the membership, whether or not we do convey somebody in, or we don’t, then so be it. I’ll all the time again myself.”
Could 2: “Hopefully I can keep right here for a few years”
Throughout a dialog with Jamie Carragher at Soccer For Change’s charity lunch, Robertson informed gathered supporters that he’s hopeful of “a few years to return” at Liverpool:
“I’ve had eight fantastic years up to now and I’ve a 12 months left. I’m not as younger as I as soon as was however I really like this membership and I’ve had some nice recollections right here, so let’s see what the longer term holds.
“I nonetheless consider I can nonetheless produce good performances and a few actually good performances and I believe I’ve executed that this season.
“So I nonetheless suppose I can produce on the high stage and if I can try this then that’s the place I belong and hopefully I can keep right here for a few years to return.”
Could 26: “We have to see the place everybody stands”
However the tone shifted when talking after Liverpool’s ultimate recreation of the season, when he appeared to trace that he could possibly be contemplating his choices:
“Clearly, the membership are going to have a busy summer time, so we have to see the place everybody stands.
“Nevertheless it’s been a particular time right here, I beloved my time right here, it’s been eight particular years, and I’ve cherished each second I’ve performed in entrance of those followers, particularly at Anfield.
“At present was particular.”
June 6: “I nonetheless consider I’ve bought loads to provide”
Two weeks later Robertson informed BBC Scotland he was “not daft” in acknowledging Liverpool’s pursuit of Kerkez, however backed himself to compete:
“Till that’s executed, I’ve not even given {that a} second thought. I again myself. I’ve bought confidence in my very own capacity and that drives me ahead.
“I’ve had eight implausible years at Liverpool when it comes to profitable trophies and being a mainstay within the staff, which I’m extremely happy with.
“I’m not getting any youthful. I can’t change my age, however I nonetheless consider I’ve bought loads to provide and that’s what I give attention to.
“I give attention to myself – you possibly can’t give attention to different folks or who you’re competing with.”
June 12: “What the longer term holds, I’m undecided”
Whether or not that was backing himself at Liverpool or just at a excessive stage elsewhere, Robertson then adopted that up with extra hypothesis over his future days earlier than the Atletico curiosity surfaced:
“We’ve mentioned (my future), in fact we’ve.
“We’ve had good discussions, me and the membership, however what the longer term holds, I’m undecided.
“All I do know is I fly off on vacation and it’s nicely wanted. I want a relaxation after a protracted season, after which I sit up for pre-season. That’s all my focus is.
“I can’t look too far forward, I by no means have executed that so I’m not going to start out doing that now.
“I do know the place I’m in, I do know I’ve solely bought a 12 months left. So much’s getting spoken about it, loads’s getting stated, however my pure focus is focussing on being a dad for the following couple of weeks and having fun with that point with the youngsters.
“Then I’ll try to come again in the very best form attainable for pre-season, after which we’ll see what the longer term holds when these selections come.”
Robertson has made 342 appearances since his £8 million transfer from Hull in 2017, scoring 11 objectives and helping 67 – the latter putting him fifteenth in Liverpool’s all-time high creators.
