Andrew Robertson has revealed how close he came to leaving Liverpool for Atletico Madrid in the summer.
The Scotland international was linked with a surprise move to LaLiga after the Reds secured the signing of Milos Kerkez from Bournemouth but he ultimately chose to stay put on Merseyside and fight for his place.
Robertson has confirmed that Atletico did make a move to sign him in the summer, after weeks of speculation.
The Reds signed Milos Kerkez from Bournemouth in the summer, and it appears the Spanish club believed the Scotland international could be available as a result.
Robertson’s Admission
Robertson has admitted that “at one point” he could have made the move to Spain, but has instead opted to remain and fight for his place under manager Arne Slot.
However, he has made it clear that he wants to be playing regular football.
Robertson was asked if a deal to take him to Atletico could have happened in the summer, ahead of the Reds’ clash with the Spanish side in the Champions League.
He said: “Maybe at one point.
“I do want to play games and be the starting left-back and I have got to keep pushing to try to produce the levels I know I can do.
“The international break was good for me as I was able to get two 90 minutes, get that match fitness and two really good results for Scotland and I took a lot of confidence from that.
“He (Kerkez) is only young and I think we forget that.
“You try to help them as much as you can but you want to put pressure on them and you want to play games.
“He will be the starting left-back for Liverpool in the future and it’s up to me to push him this season and help him improve.”
Kerkez struggles
Kerkez struggled in the weekend’s 1-0 win over Burnley, and was substituted in the first-half after an ill-advised dive.
Robertson, though, believes he can become a top player regardless, adding: “I do want to play games and be the starting left-back and I have got to keep pushing to try to produce the levels I know I can do.
“He just needs to keep working hard and not let today affect him, which it won’t as he’s a confident lad, and I’ll help him as much as I can.”
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The Reds start their Champions League campaign against Atletico on Wednesday at Anfield before taking on Everton in a home Merseyside derby. Robertson is likely to play in one of those games.
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