Why Arne Slot Insists on Keeping Andy Robertson Amid Tottenham Transfer Talks
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot is determined not to let go of Andy Robertson amid transfer talks with Tottenham, citing the left-back's importance to the team amidst a mounting injury crisis. Read on to find out why Slot is adamant about keeping Robertson at Anfield.
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has suggested it would be unwise to sanction the sale of Andy Robertson before the transfer deadline as he still 'needs' the left-back. Robertson is in talks with Tottenham over a move but the Reds are facing a mounting injury crisis and Slot is determined not to lose any further players.Reports emerged on Friday claiming Spurs had initially earmarked Robertson for a summer transfer, with his contract at Anfield up at the end of the season. However, Tottenham decided that Thomas Frank's first-team squad needs immediate improvement and as such have brought forward plans to try and sign the Scot. The north Londoners are also said to value the 31-year-old's leadership and experience.Robertson started on the bench for Liverpool's 3-2 defeat at Bournemouth on Saturday evening. He was introduced at half-time in place of Milos Kerkez, with Slot admitting the former Cherries left-back wasn't fit enough to play more than an hour at most.The Liverpool boss was asked post-match if he could afford to lose Robertson this month and if he wanted him to stay. Slot replied: "I think I need all my players. Robbo had to come in at half-time, in my opinion. I always knew that for Milos, another 90 minutes against a very intense Bournemouth side was not a possibility for him, so I knew I would have to bring (Robertson) in."I had already had one substitution in the first half, then you only have two moments left, so I thought 'let's bring Robbo in at half-time to make sure Milos stays available for the rest of the season'."There's a lot of games to be played with the players available. I have to manage that as well. The last thing we could need right now is another injury."Looking for smarter football bets? Get expert previews, data-driven predictions & winning insights with GOAL Tips on Telegram. Join our growing community now!Liverpool's run of 13 games without defeat in all competitions came to an end at the Vitality Stadium. Though Virgil van Dijk and Dominik Szoboszlai cancelled out goals from Evanilson and Alex Jimenez, Amine Adli scored with essentially the last kick of the game to ensure the Reds left without any points to show for their efforts."I think it is safe to say they could have scored 3-2 a little bit earlier," Slot admitted. "A few of our players ran out of energy and I cannot even criticise them for that because two days ago [three] we had to play an away game. We're the only team that played in the Champions League that has two games in between."This time after an away game, another away game against one of the most intense teams in the league and I mainly played the same players because of the players we have available. Conceding a goal is always frustrating, but especially if there is no time left to come back into the game."Meanwhile, Robertson's suitors Spurs needed a last-minute goal from Cristian Romero to rescue a 2-2 draw at relegation battlers Burnley. Head coach Frank was targeted with 'sacked in the morning' chants once again by Tottenham supporters.Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reportingWith just over a week to go until the transfer deadline on February 2, talks between Liverpool and Tottenham are expected to ramp up regarding a fee for Robertson. In the event that the Reds do sell Robertson, they are expected to recall Kostas Tsimikas from his loan at Roma.
Liverpool's Need for Andy Robertson
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has emphasized the importance of Andy Robertson to the team, stating that he still 'needs' the left-back amidst ongoing transfer talks with Tottenham. With the Reds facing a growing injury crisis, Slot is reluctant to part ways with any more key players, underscoring Robertson's value to the squad.
Tottenham's Interest and Liverpool's Response
Reports emerged suggesting that Tottenham had targeted Robertson for a summer transfer, but have expedited their plans due to immediate squad improvement needs. Spurs value Robertson's leadership and experience, making him a prime target for the North London club. However, Liverpool's coach remains resolute in retaining the Scottish defender.
Slot's Strategy and Robertson's Role
In Liverpool's recent 3-2 loss to Bournemouth, Robertson started on the bench but was brought on at halftime due to fitness concerns. Slot explained his decision, emphasizing the need to manage player workload effectively. With a congested fixture list, maintaining squad depth is crucial, further highlighting why retaining Robertson is crucial for Liverpool.
Liverpool's Recent Performance and Challenges
Following a run of 13 games without defeat, Liverpool suffered a setback against Bournemouth, conceding a late goal to lose 3-2. Slot highlighted fatigue as a factor due to a tight schedule, indicating the challenges faced by the team. Despite this, the Reds remain determined to push forward and navigate their busy fixture list.
Transfer Deadline Approaches
With the transfer deadline looming, talks between Liverpool and Tottenham are set to intensify regarding Robertson's potential move. If Liverpool were to sell Robertson, they are reportedly prepared to recall Kostas Tsimikas from his loan spell at Roma. The coming days will be crucial in determining the future of the talented left-back.
