Liverpool left-back Andy Robertson will depart the club when his contract expires at the end of the season.
Robertson, 32, joined Liverpool from Hull City in 2017. Over nine seasons he has collected two Premier League titles, a Champions League, the FA Cup, two League Cups, the FIFA Club World Cup, the UEFA Super Cup and the Community Shield. The Scot has made 373 appearances for the club.
This season Robertson has been largely a squad player after Liverpool paid around £40m last summer for Milos Kerkez, leaving Robertson second choice. He said it was hard to leave Liverpool, despite having offers. Tottenham pursued him in January, with talks over a possible £5m transfer, but the move did not happen.
Atletico Madrid were keen on Robertson last summer and are expected to be interested again once he becomes a free agent in June. Napoli, Juventus and clubs in Saudi Arabia are also likely suitors.
On his decision, Robertson said: “It’s never easy leaving a club like Liverpool, it has been a huge part of mine and my family’s life for the last nine years. But for me, players move on, other people move on – the thing that stays the same is the club and obviously the fans.
“I’ve had an amazing nine years here. I think it has been well-documented, especially over the last year or so, I’ve had opportunities to leave and I’ve not taken them because of how difficult it is to leave this club. And I wouldn’t change that for the world.
“But I know football moves on, I know teams move on and I think now is the time for me to move on and go. Wherever my next move is and wherever my career takes me, I’ll always look back on amazing memories at this football club.
“I’ve put my heart and soul into the club for nine years and I’ve not got many regrets. I’ve grown as a man and as a person. This club will always mean the world to me, the fans will mean the world to me. It has been a hell of a journey.”
Robertson will leave Anfield the same summer that Mohamed Salah, another 2017 signing, is also departing. Ibrahima Konate is out of contract at the end of the season too. The squad has seen recent exits including Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid and Luis Díaz to Bayern Munich, while Diego Jota has tragically passed away. Virgil van Dijk, Alisson and Joe Gomez are not due to be out of contract until 2027.
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot acknowledged Robertson’s decision was influenced by his reduced playing time this season. Slot said: “First of all, he had many great seasons over here as a player, but people got to know him as a great person – I got to know him as a great person. Every team-mate will tell you how funny he is and how great of a person he is. That will be shown on social media.
“What I remember most about him is the intensity he is always playing with. We learnt something about intensity two days ago.
“He has won everything over here and served this club for so many years. He really loves this club. It has been a great nine years for him at the club, but this season he did not play as much as he was used to.
“As a result of that, he is leaving. It is difficult to be in that position longer than a season.” When asked if the decision was Robertson’s, Slot added: “It is a question to ask him rather than to ask me. Every player wants as much regular first-team football as possible.”
Team-mates and former colleagues paid tribute on social media. Mohamed Salah posted: “With these pictures showing the bond we shared, I almost felt I could get away with saying nothing about you leaving. It’s been an honour to be your teammate and your friend. You’ve won it all and you leave as a legend. I’m sure we will meet again.” Trent Alexander-Arnold called Robertson a “legend forever.” Virgil van Dijk also labelled him a “legend,” and Cody Gakpo wrote: “Honoured to call you a team-mate. Your professionalism and mentality were second to none. You led by example in every moment and gave everything for the club. Thank you for everything.”
Curtis Jones said: “A player/person every football club needs! You’ll be a huge miss brother, legend!” Joe Gomez posted a lengthy tribute, praising Robertson’s consistency, standards and personality and recalling shared moments off the pitch. James Milner, now at Brighton, wrote: “What a player, what a man. You came and conquered and did it all showing your incredible character the whole time in good times and bad. What you gave to the dressing room and the enjoyment you put into my journey at that incredible Club can’t be put into words mate.”
Sky Sports’ David Richardson reflected on Robertson’s Anfield legacy: signed for around £8m from Hull, Robertson made a modest start but grew into a pivotal figure. Across 373 appearances he scored 13 goals and provided 69 assists, 60 of those in the Premier League — the most for a defender behind only Trent Alexander-Arnold. His overlapping partnership with Alexander-Arnold became a hallmark of Jurgen Klopp’s best Liverpool teams, supplying chances for the front three.
Richardson added that although Robertson delayed leaving out of loyalty to the club, the energy that once defined his play has become harder to summon consistently, and with Liverpool entering a new era the club must look ahead. Yet Robertson’s drive, leadership and consistency ensure he will be remembered as one of Liverpool’s finest full-backs.