Arne Slot anticipates that Andy Robertson will remain with Liverpool despite interest from Spurs.
Arne Slot has indicated that he anticipates defender Andrew Robertson will remain at Liverpool for the remainder of the season, despite interest from Tottenham Hotspur.
According to sources, ESPN reported that Liverpool engaged in initial discussions with Tottenham last week regarding a possible transfer for Robertson, who is set to become a free agent in the summer. The left-back is believed to be seeking increased playing time ahead of this summer’s World Cup, although the transfer is now unlikely to move forward unless Liverpool secures an appropriate replacement.
“Robbo is part of the team tomorrow evening,” Slot stated prior to his squad’s Champions League match against Qarabag FK. “He has been a member of this squad for many years. I am pleased to have him and I am glad he is available because that is not typical for us at the moment.
“He will be included in the team and nothing is occurring on this front. It’s challenging to make any definitive statements in this environment we are in, but I expect him to remain.”
Liverpool faced another setback over the weekend when defender Joe Gomez had to leave the pitch due to a hip issue during the team’s 3-2 loss to AFC Bournemouth.
The England international is not anticipated to be out for an extended duration; however, he will miss the match against Qarabag, while Ibrahima Konaté is also on compassionate leave following the passing of his father.
“For sure, there will not be a centre-back available tomorrow,” Slot remarked.
“I can only utilize a midfielder since there are no centre-backs available apart from Virgil [Van Dijk]. I commend him for maintaining his fitness consistently; at his age, being ready to play another 90 minutes is something we should not take lightly.
“I must adjust the system or players into different roles. This complicates the narrative, and I am fully aware of that. It is a challenging balance. Before anyone claims I disregard medical advice, I am attentive, but at times I make my own choices. There was a player on the field who assisted a goal when it might have been better for him to be off the pitch.
“I communicate with my players, I understand how they feel, and if they are prepared, I consider all of that. If you lack the information, it is easy to criticize.”
Reflecting on the difficulties of managing the criticism his team is encountering this season, Slot added: “It will be quite challenging to silence external noise given our current position in the league.
“It is impossible to eliminate the noise at a club like this if you are not in contention for the league. Between the boxes, we are a very, very competent team. The manner in which we play out from the back and advance the ball into promising positions — so many times against Bournemouth we found ourselves in the situations I want my players to be in.
“Converting those promising positions into chances and being clinical in finishing them is an area where we need to improve. In the opposing box, other teams reach our area three or four times a game. Too often, when they do, it results in chances and sometimes goals.
“There exists an imbalance between us and other teams. If we can enhance our performance in both boxes, we can achieve remarkable things this season. If we can improve in one area, it will be a satisfactory season. If we fail to improve in either, there will be considerable noise.”
