Liverpool manager Arne Slot should consider signing a new left-back to replace Andy Robertson
Andy Robertson and Scotland suffered a heartbreaking stoppage-time 1-0 loss to Hungary on Sunday night. Kevin Csoboth’s 100th-minute goal for Hungary ensured the Steve Clarke-managed side’s tournament in Germany came to a premature end, with skipper Andy Robertson failing to inspire his nation in the all-important group-stage fixture.
Before the curtain-raiser between Scotland and Germany, Andy Robertson backed Scotland to go and make history and qualify for the knockout stages of a major tournament for the first time. The words coming from the skipper felt perfect and it was all about putting those into action.
However, Scotland couldn’t have envisioned a worse start at the 2024 European Championships as Andy Robertson and Co. were beaten 5-1 by Germany. Introspection within the squad after the 5-1 thrashing at the hands of the host nation led to a much-improved, energetic display in the 1-1 draw with Switzerland.
But at the final group-stage hurdle where the Scot desperately needed a victory against Hungary, they failed. Robertson was subbed off late on in the game and his teammates couldn’t hold their nerves and conceded a stoppage-time winner.
A dejected and disappointed Robertson is heading home early and it is going to be a bitter pill to swallow for the flying left-back because he wasn’t at his sublime best in the tournament.
The 30-year-old came into the tournament off the back of an injury-curtailed campaign with Liverpool, limiting him to only 23 Premier League appearances. He had had a couple of injury scares before the tournament kicked off, with the Scotsman suffering a bang on his ankle during a training session.
Liverpool fans have witnessed Robertson’s consistent performances for the club over the years but they’d argue last season was different. Due to a combination of injury problems and inconsistency, the full-back wasn’t at his best and managed just three goals and two assists in the Premier League. His set-pieces and corners for Scotland at the 2024 Euros weren’t up to the mark, hitting the first man all too often. Indeed, if new manager Arne Slot was watching, he would have seen things to suggest that he needs to replace one of the pillars of the Jurgen Klopp era at Anfield soon.
The dip in Robertson’s performance levels have been there for all to see since last year and this summer would be the perfect time for Liverpool to bring in a young left-back. At 30, the Scotland international still has gas in the tank to compete at the highest level but the Reds probably need a younger and dynamic left-back that would not only improve their defensive stability but also enhance the squad, providing the quality and depth needed for a quality season.
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Bologna’s Riccardo Calafiori, who can operate in a back three or four-man defence, has been the subject of interest to Liverpool. Wolves left-back/wing-back Rayan Ait-Nouri is also understood to be on the club’s radar. Given Robertson’s well-documented struggles for the Reds last season and Scotland recently, it is time Slot considers Calafiori and Ait-Nouri as potential alternatives to replace the Scot.
