Andy Robertson Opens Up on Early Liverpool Return in League Cup
Andy Robertson has admitted he did not want to face Liverpool at Anfield so soon after leaving the club, following Tottenham’s League Cup third round defeat there earlier this month. The Andy Robertson Anfield return arrived far sooner than the left back had hoped, with Spurs drawn against his old side only months after his summer exit.
Robertson left Liverpool at the end of his contract after nine years on Merseyside and joined Tottenham on a free transfer. He came off the bench as a 57th minute substitute as Liverpool beat Spurs 3-1. That night is covered in full in our report on his initial return to Anfield.
Former Left-Back Details Tottenham Move and Reaction to Cup Draw
Speaking in an interview with stick to football, Robertson explained he had checked Tottenham’s fixture list as soon as it came out. He hoped the Liverpool game would fall later in the season. “Yeah, it was strange. Obviously I looked at the fixtures when they first came out, you look at Liverpool away,” he said.
He had circled the Premier League meeting in December instead. “And it was December, and I’m thinking I’m quite happy with that, I can get my feet under the table with Tottenham,” Robertson said.
The League Cup draw changed that plan completely. Tottenham’s third round tie against Charlton Athletic set up a trip to Anfield much sooner than Robertson wanted. “And then the cup competition, we beat Charlton at home and everyone’s running around the changing room going, “You’re going back!” (groans),” he recalled.
Despite his reluctance, Robertson praised the welcome he received from the home supporters on his return. “But no, it was great, you know what I mean? In terms of reception I got off the home fans. It was a long time there, and to go back and be in another colour but still get that reception, it was nice,” he said.
Tactical Impact of Robertson’s Return to Anfield in Spurs Colours
Robertson’s introduction after 57 minutes gave Tottenham fresh legs down the left as they chased the game against a Liverpool side leading through the middle. His experience of Anfield’s pitch and the pressing habits of his old teammates offered Spurs some tactical know-how, even if it could not turn the tie in their favour.
That Andy Robertson Anfield return also underlined how much the full back had changed clubs since leaving Merseyside. Our piece on reasons behind his shirt number looked at another small sign of how settled he already feels in north London.
What Next for Robertson and Liverpool Following League Cup Clash
Robertson explained that he first sensed a move away from Liverpool becoming real around the turn of the year. “I’d say probably January time (is when I realised I’d be leaving), I nearly left in January,” he said.
He stayed put that winter rather than force things through. Tottenham’s interest was already growing by that point, he explained.
I didn’t want to leave but Tottenham came in for me. Obviously they were bang in trouble at that point. I just didn’t feel… it was never in my plan to leave in January. I had six months left, and I think I had the World Cup and things like that. I think in January time it started becoming real that I was going to leave, and that’s when I kind of came to peace with it, really.
Once his exit became certain, only one destination appealed to him, provided Tottenham stayed in the Premier League.
It was always Tottenham, as long as they stayed up. Do you know what I mean? At that point, it was like, I didn’t want to go to the Championship with Tottenham. So, that was the thing, I ended up getting invested in Tottenham games, I like watching Tottenham’s results. No, “I didn’t think they’d go down”. Especially when De Zerbi came in, I was fully confident (they’d stay up). But yeah, as long as they stayed up, it was going to be Tottenham. They showed their interest first, they really wanted me, and I was happy with how much they wanted me, really.
Liverpool will not see Robertson again this season until Tottenham travel to Anfield in December’s Premier League fixture. That was the game he originally hoped would mark his first return to Merseyside.
