Why Liverpool almost didn’t sign Andy Robertson in 2017 and who they really wanted instead
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Andy Robertson will bring the curtain down on a glittering nine-year spell with Liverpool this Sunday, but if the Reds had had their way in 2017, he may not have been signed at all.The Scot has arguably gone on to become the best left-back in Liverpool history after joining from Hull City for a paltry £10m.However, according to The Athletic, only a serious injury prevented the Reds from overlooking Robertson in favour of then Roma full-back Emerson Palmieri. How would you rate Andy Robertson’s trophy-laden Liverpool career?
The curtain is finally coming down for Robbo at Anfield 🥲 Photo Credit: Getty Images/Sebastian Frej Liverpool’s first-choice was Emerson Palmieri in 2017Around the time that Liverpool were looking for a new left-back nine years ago, there were serious links to Leicester City’s emerging talent Ben Chilwell, along with Robertson.But, as The Athletic report, the Reds were also very keen on Emerson, with the Italian said to have been their initial first-choice target.Emerson injured his cruciate ligaments just before the end of the 2016/17 campaign, though, leaving Liverpool to pivot towards Robertson.The suggestion is that, had Emerson stayed fit, the Reds would have pursued a deal for him instead of their outgoing vice-captain.READ MORE: Harvey Elliott sends message to Aston Villa fans after watching them win the Europa League titlePhoto by Chris Lee – Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty ImagesWould Emerson have been a success at Liverpool?Despite his injury, Emerson still managed to get his Premier League move during the 2017/18 season, joining Chelsea in January.Though he only went on to play 71 times for the Blues, he played a part in winning the Champions League and Europa League, also collecting a Conference League medal with West Ham in 2023, making him the first player to win all three UEFA club competitions.With 29 caps – and a European Championship – with Italy, Emerson has had a good career all things told. Now with Marseille aged 31, he is perhaps winding down, but has shown over the past nine years that he’s a player with a fair amount of quality.Despite that, it’s fairly clear that Liverpool were saved from making a poor decision during the summer of 2017.
Robertson was always the best choice, and there is no chance that Emerson would have been able to match what the Scotland captain has achieved at Anfield. Join Our NewsletterReceive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox