Andy Robertson reflects on devastating Jota tragedy and moment he knew Liverpool needed him

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The likes of Spanish giants Atletico Madrid wanted to take him.

But after discussions with his family, he knew his heart still lay on Merseyside.

If that call wasn’t emotional enough, losing his close pal Jota heightened it beyond comprehension.

Robertson attended the funeral in Portugal and says he’ll NEVER get over the devastation of his passing.

At that moment, he knew he’d made the right decision to stay at Liverpool, irrespective of how much game time he might get.

Jota’s death put football - and life - in perspective.

And as part of the club’s senior leadership group and experienced players, he wasn’t wiling to leave grieving players and supporters.

As he reflected on the most difficult summer of his life, Robertson said: “It was the most difficult thing we’ll ever go through.

It’s up to us leaders to try and guide them through that.”

Liverpool fans display a banner in tribute to Diogo Jota

For just about the first time in his Liverpool career, Robertson is having to watch from the side, with Kerkez as first-choice left-back.

But he has no regrets about staying at the club.

And he’s convinced that by the end of the campaign, he’ll still have proved his worth as a vital player for club and country.

Robertson said: “That was the first summer that I’ve had to think about my future.

“It’s always been nailed on where I’m going to be and what my position looks like.

When called upon to produce as well as I can for Liverpool and Scotland.

“Hopefully in the summer I’ll be heading to a World Cup with a couple more trophies in my back pocket.”

Robertson has achieved just about everything in his career as a Premier League and Champions League winner at Anfield - as well as captaining his country at two Euro Finals.

There’s one box left to tick and that’s appearing at a World Cup.

This potentially could be his last crack - starting with a tough fixture against Denmark in Copenhagen.

Ben Gannon Doak in Scotland training

The Scotland stalwart said: “I’m 31 now so not getting any younger.

You don’t know how your career is going to go.

“Hopefully this isn’t my last World Cup campaign but I’ll be 36 by the next one and I’ll probably have been written off by then!

“I’ve come close and not managed it.

It would be amazing to do.

“It’s something we want to do for the Tartan Army and for ourselves."

If Scotland are to qualify for the USA, Canada and Mexico next summer, one of Robertson’s former Liverpool team-mates will be key to it.

Ben Gannon Doak is back in Clarke’s squad after making a £25million move to Bournemouth.

Robertson is reluctant to put too much expectation on the shoulders of the 19-year-old - but knows better than anyone how big a talent he is.

He said: “I don’t want to put too much pressure on him.

“But I’ve watched him grow from a boy - I wouldn't quite say he's a man yet - but he's certainly on his way!

“He's matured a lot.

I love him and I love watching him.

“He's one of those players who gets the fans off their seat and it's great to have him in the squad.

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“Hopefully he can play a big part for us.”