The transfer window is not open yet, but Liverpool already have some enormous decisions to make.
Arne Slot’s squad is facing a summer of change, and not every call will be easy to justify. Michael Owen thinks Liverpool may already have got one major decision wrong.
As well as Mohamed Salah’s situation, Andy Robertson’s expected exit would remove another huge figure from the dressing room. Owen is concerned that Liverpool may have moved too quickly on Robertson, especially as he does not sound fully convinced by the player lined up to replace him.
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Rumours of discontent at the Bernabeu 👀
Andy Robertson should stay at Liverpool, says Michael Owen
Robertson’s announcement brings an end to a remarkable nine years at Liverpool.
He has been one of the defining players of the club’s modern era. His energy, consistency and leadership helped shape the best Liverpool team of the Premier League era. It is not just about replacing a left-back, it is about replacing one of the strongest personalities in the squad.
Robertson has also shown in recent weeks that he is still more than capable of contributing on the pitch. His goal against Crystal Palace was a reminder that he can still deliver in big moments.
Owen believes Liverpool have been too quick to move on from him.
Speaking on talkSPORT, he said: “I love Andy Robertson. I think they pensioned him off too early. But to be playing him now in a lot of the big games, they played him at Old Trafford, they played him against Everton, it’s not a great look for Kerkez, is it?”
If Milos Kerkez is the planned successor, Liverpool need to be fully convinced he is ready. Yet the fact Robertson is still being trusted in major matches suggests there is still a question to answer.
Slot should assess Kerkez properly in the final weeks of the season. We cannot afford to enter the summer with uncertainty in such an important position.
It would be unusual to see Robertson or the club backtrack now. These decisions do not often get reversed once the direction has been set. But Owen’s point is a fair one. Robertson may be leaving at a time when he still has plenty to give.
Liverpool will now have to try to replace him in two ways. They need a reliable left-back on the pitch, and they need someone capable of filling a huge leadership gap off it.
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