Liverpool Should Sell This Player Immediately in ‘Respectful’ Move – Opinion | OneFootball

Liverpool Transfers: Is Selling Andy Robertson Best for Business?

Andy Robertson has never given Liverpool anything less than his all—an £8 million signing who became a Champions League and Premier League winner, a captain for club and country, and a symbol of Klopp’s relentless gegenpressing machine. But as Atletico Madrid prepare an offer to take the Scotland international to Spain, the emotional question of his exit must give way to a practical one: is now the right time?

At 31, with sporadic form growing and Milos Kerkez identified as a ready-made successor, the writing may already be on the wall for the legendary fullback. Arne Slot is ushering in a new era built on speed, press resistance, and tactical flexibility that can endure the rigours of the Premier League. If Robertson has been informed that his first-team status is gone, and indications suggest that is the case, then the dignified route might be to allow him a starting role at one of Europe’s biggest clubs, while Liverpool regenerates their squad.

There’s also a personal dimension. The prospect of joining his former teammate and close friend, Trent Alexander-Arnold, in Madrid, albeit for cross-city rivals, clearly appeals to both. Each player is represented by the same agency, and with a move potentially costing Atletico less than £10 million, this is a deal that suits all parties.

Financially Sound, Emotionally Bitter

Liverpool may not recoup a fortune in transfer fees, but the deal’s real value lies in the £8–9 million per year wage relief it provides. That figure, for a player expected to be a rotational option at best, is not sustainable in a squad being reshaped by the Reds Sporting CEO, Michael Edwards. With a more efficiency-minded approach to contracts and roles, Robertson’s exit would free up vital resources to invest in areas of greater need.

This isn’t about disrespecting a legend, it’s about avoiding stagnation and taking advantage of the current circumstances. Liverpool kept James Milner perhaps a season or two too long, and Naby Keïta perhaps four. Edwards and Richard Hughes appear intent on reversing that trend: exiting players at the right moment, not the sentimental one. The shift in power has altered and it can lead to a new dynasty of silverware.

Kerkez, younger, cheaper, and stylistically aligned with Slot’s approach, is the sort of strategic signing that underpins a modern rebuild. But to integrate a player like that, the pathway must be clear—and as long as Robertson remains, it isn’t, which could lead to issues in transition.

Farewell with Honour, Not Regret

Liverpool’s summer is already defined by departures: Trent, Kelleher and now possibly Robertson. But unlike the free exits of seasons prior, Robbo’s move would at least bring modest compensation and a respectable landing spot for a club great. This isn’t a forced exit, it’s an evolution. There could be as many as fourteen players moved on before the close of the summer window and trust must be placed in the executives leading this alteration of assets, as that is what they are.

Slot must be given the room to build without ghosts of the past haunting the pecking order, potentially the changing room also. And Robertson, ever the professional, deserves to end his Liverpool chapter on his terms—not sitting on the bench, nursing minor injuries and fading from memory. Atletico offers him relevance, top-level football, and a new challenge in a different tactical environment.

Michael Edwards has always known when to sell when to replace, and when to let go. This move, if completed, is not about ruthless detachment. It’s about growth—for both the player and the club. Sentiment built Liverpool’s recent past and it saw a great team fade out of the title picture until this last season. Strategic clarity will build its future which has to be geared towards continual success. And as much as it may hurt, letting Robbo walk might just be the most respectful thing Liverpool can do.