Liverpool's latest contract dilemma will SPLIT the fanbase | OneFootball

When it comes to expiring contracts, Liverpool normally do the right thing and the fanbase recognises that whatever the outcome, the club tried their best, which had only be admired.

Back in April, the judgement calls over Virgil Van Dijk and Mohamed Salah took so long to agree because of the weight of the financial commitment and the players eventually got what they wanted.

Trent Alexander-Arnold, on the other hand, was intent about taking the opportunity to play for Real Madrid, and so even though Liverpool failed to tie him down, it was accepted that they did their bit.

Right now, with Ibrahima Konate, it's difficult to know where the Frenchman's head is at. On the face of it, he looks to be as committed as ever to the Reds, but that won't necessarily translate to him penning a new long-term deal. After all, transfer target Marc Guehi isn't, he's just being professional.

Behind the scenes, however, there's another contract dilemma for Liverpool to solve and it's a lot less clear cut than the others in terms of whether the player deserves or even wants to remain a Red.

Robertson decision will SPLIT the fanbase

Veteran full-back Andy Robertson is one of the fans' favourites and his journey to get to this point has been long and tumultuous. Back in 2012, he started his professional career off with Queen's Park before joining Dundee United for a year in 2013. That spell attracted attention from Hull City who spent £2.9m, keeping him around for three seasons as one of the Tigers' most reliable players.

From then, Liverpool took a gamble on the 23-year-old (at the time), splashing out £10m and offering him the opportunity to play in the Premier League. In the nine years since that move, he's flourished.

The Scottish left-back has written himself into history as one of the two greatest attacking defenders of all time, alongside former teammate Alexander-Arnold and he's without doubt one of the best players Liverpool have ever had. There will be little contention about his place in an LFC all-time XI.

After captaining his national team since 2018, it was decided last season that Robertson deserved to be recognised as one of the key players in the Reds' leadership team and he's now our vice-captain.

His time at Liverpool, which has now been most of his playing career, is all important context for the club's officials to consider when they sit down to discuss whether the defender warrants a new deal.

Like with Konate, his contract is set to expire at the end of the season, and even though there's plenty to consider with the Frenchman, there are even more complicated issues with Robertson.

Last summer, he received interest from Atletico Madrid that was casually brushed off, and he decided in an interview that he wanted to give his all to Liverpool one last time and then speak with his family about what should be next. What's crystal clear, however, is that he adores the club.

Milos Kerkez's arrival gave the Scot a bit of food for thought, but he's settled nicely into his role of supporting the young Hungarian, assisting the team whenever he's called upon by Arne Slot. That's all well and good for a 31-year-old who's soon to be out of contract, but is it what he really wants?

At the end of the season, he might have the opportunity to rejoin his former club Celtic, or go abroad for the first time in his career, experiencing life in a different country before he hangs up his boots.

Robertson's selflessness means we have no idea what he'd actually want to do, and Liverpool's silence over a potential new contract speaks louder the words. Robertson may have run his course.

Kostas Tsimikas is only at Roma on loan this season, meaning he could take the Scot's place next season as Kerkez's understudy. From a financial perspective, the Reds would see around £3m fall off their books next year by doing so. Furthermore, no commitment would need to made to Tsimikas either, since he's currently 29 and his deal with Liverpool runs out in 2027.

From an objective standpoint, all that feels great. But the nostalgia and sentimentality concerning Robertson from within the fanbase will complicate things. Kerkez might be performing right now, but it's entirely likely that Robertson will still have a role to play across the remainder of the campaign and the level of experience and leadership that he gives the team is particularly high.

As such, while it currently feels as though the Reds have made up their mind. Despite some mixed reports, the final decision on him is likely to split the fanbase. It's only natural, he's an all-time great.