The Arne Slot rebuild is ruthlessly accelerating. Andy Robertson officially confirmed Thursday he will leave Liverpool at the end of the 2025-2026 season. His contract is expiring. A historic nine-year run at Anfield is over.
The 32-year-old Scotland captain lost his starting spot this season. Liverpool paid £40 million for Milos Kerkez. The former Bournemouth defender is now the undisputed first-choice left-back. Robertson is leaving on a free transfer.
Tottenham Hotspur want him. Spurs explored a deal during the January window. They will aggressively pursue him this summer, as detailed by the Evening Standard. Other major European clubs are watching. Napoli, Juventus, and Atlético Madrid are monitoring the impending free agency. Robertson already rejected Atlético last year.
Robertson spoke directly to club media channels regarding the exit. He called it an incredibly difficult decision.
“Now is the time for me to move on,” Robertson said. He added that “football moves on, teams move on.”
His legacy is massive. Liverpool bought him for just £8 million from Hull City in July 2017. It became one of the greatest bargain transfers in modern European sports history. The exit was formally announced on April 9, according to a report by The Guardian.
He made 373 appearances. He won two Premier League titles. He lifted the Champions League, the FA Cup, two League Cups, the Club World Cup, the UEFA Super Cup, and the Community Shield. His departure marks another massive loss for the old guard, the Washington Post noted Thursday.
Why Arne Slot Chose Milos Kerkez Over Robertson
The Jurgen Klopp era is officially dead. Robertson’s departure comes just two weeks after Mohamed Salah confirmed his own exit. The old guard is leaving rapidly. Slot demands a different physical profile for his fullbacks. Kerkez provides that profile.
The £40 million Kerkez signing immediately locked down the left flank. Robertson became expendable on the wage bill. The transition is complete.
Tottenham needs veteran leadership. Ange Postecoglou requires relentless runners out wide to make his high-line system function. Robertson fits perfectly on a free transfer. But the battle will be fierce. Juventus and Napoli both need defensive reinforcements for their European campaigns. Robertson will dictate his own market.