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Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas celebrate after the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Liverpool FC at Etihad Stadium on February 23, 2025(Image: Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)

Having made Milos Kerkez the most expensive left-back in Liverpool history this week, a changing of the guard now appears in the offing this coming season at Anfield.

The Hungary international had been a long-standing target for the champions and after negotiations between sporting director Richard Hughes and his Bournemouth counterpart Simon Francis reached a conclusion, the Reds landed Kerkez on a five-year deal after completing his medical on Monday.

What happens for those already occupying the left-back department is now the follow-up story for a squad currently going through something of a transition.



Andy Robertson is wanted by Atletico Madrid, while Kostas Tsimikas has been linked with a number of Premier League clubs.

Here, the ECHO's Reds writers have their say on what might come next at Anfield as competition increases on the left side of their defence.

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When Andy Robertson spoke at the Football For Change charity lunch in April, he struck a defiant tone of someone who still feels he has a lot to contribute.

"I am not as young as I once was but I love this club and I have had some great memories here, so let's see what the future holds.

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"I still believe I can still produce good performances and some really good performances and I think I have done that this season, so I still think I can produce at the top level and if I can do that then that is where I belong and hopefully I can stay here for many years to come."

Even as far back as April, though, Robertson will have been aware of the interest in Kerkez and while the 31-year-old might well have hoped to extend his stay beyond what has been a trophy-laden eight years with the club, discussions since might have opened up the thinking to a more sober reality.

That is pure speculation at this stage but does Robertson, who still feels he has so much to give, see a world where he is competing neck and neck for a place in the Liverpool team next season with Kerkez?

A lot though may rest on what Robertson feels he is still able to offer.

The prospect of blooding in someone who cost £40m might be something some scoff at but it's a luxury Liverpool are able to do for the coming season if they can convince Robertson that he still has an important part to play for the season ahead.

The player himself, though, may feel as though he needs the security of a longer-term contract that might not be forthcoming at Anfield.

Andy Robertson has earned the right to decide when and how his Liverpool career ends, having loyally served the club over the past eight years.

Out of contract next summer, it would not have been a surprise to see the Scotland captain see out his deal at Anfield before departing on a free transfer in 12 months' time.

The likes of Owen Beck and Luke Chambers will also be looking to stake their claim in pre-season.

If Robertson or Tsimikas are happy as back-up to Kerkez, Liverpool don't need to rock the boat.

He has recently said in an interview that he finds the 20-odd games for the Reds more valuable than if he were a regular starter anywhere else.

He completely gets the way that Liverpool operates, and if anything were to happen to our number one starting left back, he would be more than able to fill in the shoes.

We saw it when Robertson was out for a few weeks with a shoulder problem in 22/23, before Tsimikas had his broken collarbone.


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