'They can sign anyone' - Andy Robertson reacts to Liverpool criticism and makes transfer admission
Andy Robertson feels he has been scapegoated at times this season. Liverpool are enjoying an extraordinary campaign under new head coach Arne Slot, and currently top the Premier League table by six points while also boasting a game in hand.
The Reds also topped the inaugural Champions League league phase to book their place in the round-of-16, while they are also in the League Cup semi-finals and FA Cup fourth round. Meanwhile, Slot has only lost three of his 36 games in charge of Liverpool to date.
Robertson has made 30 appearances under the Dutchman, starting on 25 occasions. But the 30-year-old’s form and consistency has come under increasing scrutiny.
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He was sent off against Fulham, conceded penalties in back to back games against Southampton and Real Madrid, and suffered a torrid time against Bukayo Saka in October’s 2-2 draw with Arsenal, while Kostas Tsimikas is pushing the Scot harder than ever before for a starting berth.
With the left-back out of contract in 2026, the Reds continue to be linked with a number of possible long-term replacements. AFC Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez has frequently found himself linked with a move to Anfield in recent weeks.
Robertson is well-aware that he remains under the spotlight, and with critics jumping on his every mistake, is determined to prove his doubters wrong.
“I've enjoyed it under the new manager,” he told Sky Sports. “A lot has probably been spoken about me this season which is something that I maybe haven't quite experienced in my time here. It's in one way pleasing because I've had seven years of kinda going under the radar.
"Now this season there's been a bit more spotlight on me and things like that. It's part and parcel of football. I've seen it happen to players before. I will see it happen to people in the future, and obviously it's my turn now.
"I just need to keep my head down. I need to keep working hard. The manager is helping us all the time, the coaches, and I believe that I'm in a good moment just now, which maybe isn't getting any recognition, which is fine.
"Sometimes when you make one mistake people jump on it and you just have to try and prove them wrong. I'm still trying to be better, but in games I'm taking confidence from things. The Ipswich game was good for me, and hopefully I can continue that."
Meanwhile, Robertson is also determined to retain his place as Liverpool’s first-choice left-back even if they sign a new full-back in the future.
"I think I've been in the game long enough where it doesn't hurt me anymore,” he said of the criticism he continues to face. “But the fact is that I've been the starting left-back for Liverpool for eight years.
“I'm very proud of that because it's not easy to achieve that at a club of this size when they can go out and sign anyone really in the world. I want to still be the starting left-back. But you've got to take it on the chin. If people want to criticise me then so be it.
“I do believe that football is getting a bit like that where they try and find scapegoats and things like that. Maybe it's my turn now. But if it's my turn at the moment then it's taking the spotlight off of other players.
"I also think that I've made a couple of mistakes that have probably been unlike me in certain situations like the Fulham sending off. Obviously that wasn't like me then people look at maybe a bigger issue that's not there and they try and find it.
“I've seen it with other players this season as well. Probably the high-profile one that's similar to me is Kyle Walker.
“He's been certainly top two right-backs - obviously I will back my mate, Trent (Alexander-Arnold) to be next to him - but he’s been arguably the best right-back in Premier League history.
“And a couple of below par performances and all of a sudden he's finished. He's probably looked for a different challenge now to prove that he's not.
"It’s part and parcel of football. There's so many voices in football, we are all used to it, and it's important that we try and help the young lads if it happens to them as well."
