- Andy Robertson will leave Liverpool this summer
- The left-back is ending his nine-year stint with the Reds
- The real reason behind his departure has now come to light
Liverpool fans will be disappointed to hear the real reason Andy Robertson has decided to leave the club at the end of the season.
The Premier League reigning champions announced on Thursday (9 April) that the left back will depart when his contract expires this summer.
With that, the defender will pull the curtain on an illustrious nine-year stint on Merseyside, just like Mohamed Salah, who revealed his decision to leave a few weeks ago.
While the Egyptian will turn 34 in June, Robertson has just turned 32, and one would expect him to be able to play at the top level for at least a couple more years.
However, the former Celtic ace has found his playing time dwindle following the arrival of Milos Kerkez last summer, and has decided that the time has come for him to move on from Anfield.
Arne Slot makes Robertson confession
Tributes have poured in from all directions since the news of Robertson’s departure emerged on Thursday evening.
Arne Slot has become the latest in line to heap praise on the Liverpool vice-captain as he looks ahead to the next chapter in his career.
The Dutchman heaped praise on the veteran for the intensity with which he always plays, and also recalled his incredible press from left-back all the way to the right wing against Manchester City in 2022.
He stated in his pre match press conference (10 April) ahead of Liverpool fixture on Saturday against Fulham: “He had many great seasons over here as a player, but I think people got to know him as a great person as well. I got to know him; every teammate will tell you how funny he is and how great a person he is, and that has been shown a lot on social media as well. What I remember most about him is the intensity he is always playing with.
“We learned something about intensity two days ago, but I can make Robbo make a press from left full-back to right-back a few years ago, and I showed that to the players I was working with then. He has won everything here, really loves this club, it has been a great nine years at the club.”
In a new revelation, the former Feyenoord boss also confessed that Robertson is leaving because of the lack of playing time in the team.
Slot added: “But we saw this season he didn’t play as much as he used to, and as a result of that, he is leaving. It is difficult to be in that position longer than a season. Every player wants as much regular first-team football as possible.”
Liverpool bid adieu to Jurgen Klopp era
With Robertson and Salah’s exits, Virgil van Dijk and Alisson will be the only players from the Reds’ 2019 UEFA Champions League-winning starting XI.
Joe Gomez, who came on as a late substitute that evening, is the only other remaining player.
Van Dijk, Alisson and Gomez have their contracts expiring next year, meaning it is only a matter of time before the Jurgen Klopp era truly comes to an end.
It is further evidence that the Merseyside club are in a period of transition.
That is perhaps why the Fenway Sports Group have been rather lenient with Slot, despite the team’s struggles this season.
One can only hope that normal service resumes at Liverpool next season, and the Dutchman can turn things around.
