Liverpool Block Robertson Exit as Injury Crisis Halts Tottenham Move
Andrew Robertson will remain at Liverpool for the remainder of the season after the club informed Tottenham that any potential deal is off the table, bringing an abrupt end to Spurs’ pursuit of the Scotland captain.
Liverpool made the call following internal discussions last week, rejecting a proposed £5 million package from Tottenham and prioritising squad stability amid a worsening defensive injury crisis. The decision also aligns with the wishes of captain Virgil van Dijk, who had publicly urged the club to keep his long-time defensive partner.
Tottenham had entered talks in the hope of securing Robertson’s experience and leadership, with head coach Thomas Frank keen to reinforce his back line. The offer was considered realistic given the 31-year-old’s contract expires this summer, and Liverpool briefly weighed the financial upside against Robertson’s years of service since his arrival from Hull City in 2017.
Context played a decisive role. Liverpool’s defensive resources have been severely stretched, leaving manager Arne Slot with limited room to manoeuvre at a critical stage of the campaign. With league momentum under pressure and domestic and European objectives still alive, the club concluded that losing Robertson now would pose too great a sporting risk.
The situation has been shaped by a growing list of absentees. Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni have both been ruled out for the season with serious knee injuries, while Joe Gomez was forced off early in the recent defeat to Bournemouth after a collision with Alisson. Ibrahima Konate has also missed the last two matches following a family bereavement, further thinning the defensive options.
Liverpool explored contingency plans but found no viable solution. A potential recall of Kostas Tsimikas from his loan spell at Roma was discussed, but the Italian club were unwilling to release the left-back. With no immediate replacement available, Slot opted against weakening his squad further.
Robertson, who appeared from the bench during the 3-2 loss at Bournemouth, has accepted the club’s stance and remains focused on contributing during the run-in. He did not push for a transfer and is expected to play a key role as Liverpool chase Champions League qualification and FA Cup progress.
The decision has been warmly received inside the dressing room, particularly by Van Dijk, who had highlighted Robertson’s importance both on and off the pitch during the period of speculation. Their partnership remains central to Liverpool’s defensive structure and leadership core.
For Tottenham, the collapse of the deal creates a fresh problem. Ben Davies’ ankle fracture has left Destiny Udogie as the only senior specialist left-back available, forcing Frank to reassess his options. The coach is reluctant to redeploy Djed Spence on the left, while new signing Souza is viewed as a longer-term project rather than an immediate solution.
As the season enters a decisive phase, Liverpool’s stance ensures continuity at the back, while Spurs must now either explore alternative targets or navigate the remainder of the campaign with limited cover in a key position.