Slot Hints Robertson is 1st Choice

Arne Slot appears to be planning for the upcoming games with Andy Robertson as first-choice left-back, which has sparked new debate over his contract at Liverpool.

Robertson has started each of the last three games and did so against Aston Villa and Real Madrid as replacement for Milos Kerkez at left-back.

With Kerkez clearly struggling so far this season, the vice-captain’s influence on back-to-back victories after a run of six defeats in seven should not be played down.

Asked whether Robertson would be able to start again when Liverpool head to Man City on Sunday, Slot’s response hinted that he plans to use him.

“He started three games in seven days, because he also played the game against Crystal Palace,” the head coach explained.

“I had to take him off at the end of the game [against Real], because I felt he was tired.

“But we have to wait and see. We had recovery the day after, they were day off yesterday and now two-day lead into City. So let’s see where he is today.”

Robertson has been consistently fit throughout his nine seasons at Liverpool so far and his dedication off the pitch is paying off as he is able to maintain his levels in a busy schedule.

There had been a strong chance of the Scotland captain leaving Anfield over the summer, with Atletico Madrid making an offer, but now Slot is facing questions over a new contract.

“It’s been a while since I’ve heard the word ‘contract’, but there it is again,” he laughed.

“He’s done really well in the last three games, because he played three games in seven days – although I took him off against Palace after 60, 65 minutes.

“So I was very pleased to see that he was able to play almost 90 in his last game, because it’s hard for players to play three games in seven days; eight days or nine days is already a big difference compared to seven days.

“And he’s done well – as the team did – and I think it’s so helpful for every individual if the team plays at its best.

“That’s, I think, what we did in the last two games.

“He’s been calm on the ball and done his job defensively, so yeah I’m happy with his two, maybe three performances – although Palace, 3-0 loss, wasn’t the best game of the season for us.”

Robertson isn’t too old for a new contract

Robertson’s current deal expires in the summer, by which point he will be 32, and Slot dismissed suggestions he is now too old to be an important player for Liverpool.

“Over 30 doesn’t tell me anything,” he insisted.

“If I look at Virgil, Mo and Robbo last season, all three of them were able to win the Premier League and all three of them played a big part of it.

“If a 24-year-old doesn’t play as well, nobody talks about age; and if a 32, 33, 34-year-old has one or two bad games, people start to talk about age. That is how things work in this industry.

“But I think 32, I wouldn’t say that that is old for a football player in my opinion.”

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