The 2024/25 season was Andy Robertson‘s most underwhelming for Liverpool, and with curiosity in a switch it guarantees to be a defining summer season for the left-back.
Again in August, Robertson was coming into into his eighth season at Anfield, the place he has persistently been top-of-the-line left-backs within the division.
Having handed his thirtieth birthday, although, there was a sense that the years might lastly have been catching up with him.
That proved to be true, and with a transfer to Atletico Madrid now a really actual risk, it presents an enormous query over how a lot Liverpool worth their No. 26.
ANDY ROBERTSON, 2024/25
Began: 38 (All competitions)On as an alternative: 7Unused sub: 9Goals: 0Assists: 2
Total Season Ranking: 6.8
Worrying early indicators
Robertson’s dependability has so typically outlined him, with the left-back dependable defensively and barely performing under a seven out of 10.
That swiftly modified within the early months of 2024/25, nonetheless, with fast indicators suggesting that chinks in his armour have been showing.
Abruptly, it felt as if wingers had the higher of Robertson, not least Bukayo Saka, who turned him inside-out en path to scoring for Arsenal on the Emirates.
A pink card at dwelling to Fulham was a transparent low level within the 31-year-old’s season, following an terrible first contact and foul on former Liverpool teenager Harry Wilson.
It was a second that epitomised a lot of Robertson’s marketing campaign, and the truth that there was as a lot scrutiny on his defending as Trent Alexander-Arnold‘s felt telling.
Too typically, it felt like he was on the scene of the crime when Arne Slot‘s aspect conceded an opportunity or perhaps a objective.
Granted, he solely made one direct error resulting in a objective in the entire season, however there was just one different within the earlier 5 years mixed.
For the primary time, there have been real requires Kostas Tsimikas to oust him as first-choice left-back, which occurred sporadically however by no means for an prolonged spell.
A champion however removed from good
In true bullish Robertson trend, he spoke again in February about these writing him off, suggesting that a number of the criticism had been harsh.
“Rather a lot has most likely been spoken about me this season, which is one thing that I haven’t fairly skilled in my time right here,” Robertson advised Sky Sports activities.
“It’s in a method pleasing as a result of I’ve had seven years of going below the radar, however now this season there’s been a bit extra highlight on me. It’s half and parcel of soccer.
“I’ve seen it occur to gamers earlier than and I’ll see it occur to individuals sooner or later. Clearly, it’s my flip now.”
Whereas some might have disagreed, Robertson confirmed a spirited response to his dip, having fun with an improved the rest of the season.
His solely help of 2024/25 got here at dwelling to Arsenal – a superbly executed cross to Cody Gakpo – and the errors have been lowered.
Even the personal objective towards West Ham at Anfield was Virgil van Dijk‘s fault, which the left-back made positive to remind his captain of.
It’s also price stressing that Robertson’s season was nonetheless solely ‘disappointing’ by his excessive requirements – loads of left-backs could be pleased with the extent he discovered.
By the tip of 2024/25, he was a confirmed two-time Premier League champion, cementing his place close to the highest of the perfect left-backs within the competitors’s historical past.
That mentioned, he had been one among Liverpool’s extra hit-and-miss gamers in an amazing season, which can clarify what might be a pivotal summer season.
A altering of the guard
Each nice participant ultimately drifts previous his peak and must be changed, and that’s the brutal actuality with Robertson at the moment.
And with Milos Kerkez now lined up as his successor, it comes as no shock he seems to be contemplating a transfer away.
Atletico Madrid are his proposed vacation spot, with ideas Robertson himself is open to the transfer and that Liverpool could be keen to facilitate a easy exit after eight years of unbelievable service.
Years of marauding up and down the left flank have understandably caught up with him, and his dwindling tempo makes him a goal for opponents, having beforehand been so rock-solid.
In Kerkez, Liverpool have a tailored successor lined up, with the 21-year-old a tenacious participant carrying comparable attributes to a younger Robertson.
If he does decide to remain the Scot nonetheless has a lot to supply as a squad participant, with Tsimikas broadly thought-about the extra expendable possibility.
There are in any case extra elements to think about past his fast function on the pitch, as he is likely one of the most skilled gamers within the squad and one among their established dressing-room leaders.
However with just one 12 months remaining on his present deal, each Robertson and Liverpool have an enormous choice to make.
The membership’s best situation could also be seeing how he fares early subsequent season and weighing up whether or not a brand new contract is the perfect final result, however that might relaxation on the participant’s personal wishes.
This summer season looks like a changing-of-the-guard second at left-back for Liverpool, however nonetheless too quickly for a parting of the methods.
It will be similar to him to fend off the specter of Kerkez and begin the opening video games of subsequent season.
Finest second: An inch-perfect help for Cody Gakpo towards Arsenal.
Worst second: The pink card at dwelling to Fulham.
Position subsequent season: If he stays, competing with Kerkez to be the first-choice left-back.
