Andy Roberston’s Liverpool exit ‘makes sense for all parties’ – Opinion | OneFootball

On the Brink of Change: Robertson, Reality, and the End of an Era

On the eve of Liverpool’s trip to Bournemouth, the noise around the squad isn’t just about systems, form, or low blocks. It’s about Andy Robertson — and the growing sense that his Anfield story is nearing its natural conclusion.

At 31, with a contract expiring in the summer, Andy Robertson finds himself in an unfamiliar position: no longer first choice, no longer indispensable, and increasingly peripheral. For nearly a decade, Robertson has been the embodiment of Liverpool’s intensity — relentless overlaps, snarling competitiveness, and an engine that never seemed to empty. But football moves quickly, and Liverpool is clearly moving on.

The emergence of Milos Kerkez has been decisive. The young Hungarian has not only claimed the shirt, but he’s also done so convincingly. His pace, aggression, and durability suit where Liverpool are heading rather than where they’ve been. Crucially, Kerkez offers verticality without chaos — something that has been sorely missing this season.

Robertson, by contrast, now looks like a player caught between eras. He can still contribute, still lead, still perform — but not as a rotational piece and not with a World Cup on the horizon. And that’s the crux of it. A player of his stature is not built for the bench, domestic cup cameos, or late-game substitutions. Pride matters. Legacy matters. And watching from the sidelines while the club quietly transitions cannot be easy to accept.

With a nominal fee likely in the region of £2 million, a January exit makes sense for all parties. Liverpool avoids losing him for nothing, Robertson gets control over his next chapter, and the squad evolves without unnecessary friction. This isn’t a falling out — it’s a mutual acknowledgement of time and trajectory.

Regeneration, Wing-Backs, and the Alonso Shadow

Robertson’s likely departure isn’t an isolated decision. It fits neatly into a much broader pattern of regeneration already underway at Liverpool.

If Robertson leaves, it could pave the way for Kostas Tsimikas to return from his underwhelming loan at AS Roma and act as Kerkez’s deputy. Tsimikas has never truly convinced as a long-term starter, but as a competent, lower-profile backup, he makes sense — especially in a squad that needs balance rather than sentiment. It will also see the return of Mohamed Salah’s closest friend.

More importantly, this hints at what Liverpool wants next. The future is not traditional full-backs endlessly shuttling in a back four. The future is pace, energy, and adaptability — wing-backs who can stretch the pitch, recover ground, and thrive in transitional systems. That profile doesn’t favour ageing specialists. It favours athletes.

And that’s where the shadow of Xabi Alonso looms large. If, as expected, Alonso becomes Liverpool’s next head coach, decisions like this suddenly feel premeditated rather than reactive. His preferred structures — particularly variations of a back three — demand wing-backs who can operate relentlessly on both sides of the ball. Kerkez fits that vision perfectly. Robertson, at this stage of his career, does not.

This is not about diminishing what Robertson has given Liverpool. His legacy is secure, his contribution undeniable. But regeneration is ruthless by nature, and Liverpool can no longer afford nostalgia-driven squad planning.

If this is indeed the beginning of the post-Robertson era, it should be handled with clarity and respect. The club moves forward. The player moves on. And Liverpool continues reshaping for what comes next — not what once was.