Latest news with #AndyRobertson
Scotsman
a day ago
- Sport
- Scotsman
Andy Robertson's Liverpool future comes into focus as Scotland captain apologises for swearing
EPL club took on Serie A side AC Milan in Hong Kong Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Scotland captain Andy Robertson apologised for swearing at a referee during Liverpool's pre-season trip to Hong Kong. The English Premier League club lost 4-2 to AC Milan at the Tai Kak Sports Park in Kowloon on Saturday, with Robertson's outburst coming after he was denied a penalty kick. The 31-year-old played the first half of the game and felt he was unfairly challenged by Milan defender Malick Thiaw whilst trying to turn inside the penalty box with the scoreline at 1-1. However, referee Ping Wun Tam waved away his protests. Robertson was captured by TV cameras reacting with a foul-mouthed retort at the official, and later admitted he was caught in the heat of the moment. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'I thought first half it was an even game, we obviously lost the goal on the counter-attack, which is never good,' he said. 'I thought we created some good chances, some good link-up in the midfield and things like that, so I thought that was pleasing. We didn't really see that in the second half. 'You want to win these games but you get a lot out of it. It's been a tough week in terms of training and there were tired bodies but I think we got enough out of to move forward. Sometimes you forget the cameras are on and I got reminded of it at half-time, so I apologise for that - but I still think it was a penalty. 'It's one of those ones. When I arrive in the box, which is quite rare nowadays, I thought I was clean on goal and the defender stopped me, so I thought it was a penalty. I was just ready to argue with Mo [Salah] so I could take it instead of him! But look, you shouldn't really swear at the ref, so I apologise for that.' Liverpool transfer news with Robertson's future in focus ahead of new EPL season Robertson's long-term future at Liverpool is still unclear with the English Premier League season due to start in just over two weeks' time. The left-back signed a five-year contract at Anfield back in 2021 and is therefore due to become a free agent next summer. After the £40m arrival of Milos Kerkez from Bournemouth, Robertson's position is under threat. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Interest from Atletico Madrid did not progress to a concrete offer, so the former Dundee United player is now waiting to see what might develop between now and the transfer window closing on 1 September. He is content to play out the final year of his deal and fight for his place at Liverpool. Suggestions emerged last week that he could even be named vice-captain of the club by head coach Arne Slot following Trent Alexander-Arnold's move to Real Madrid. Robertson was quick to deny that any final decision had been taken on that subject. 'I've seen rumours and I've had texts and people congratulating me, but I've not heard anything,' he told the Anfield Wrap. 'We're obviously part of the leadership group, me, Mo [Sala] and Ali [Mac Allister], and obviously Virgil [Van Dijk] being captain. The manager has not spoken to any of us yet, and obviously we've lost Trent as vice-captain, so that role is available. 'We do what we do - the four of us are a good, tight-knit group. I spoke about it the other day in terms of helping the new lads come in, and that's what you've got to do. You've got to help them come in, you've got to help the young lads like Trey [Nyoni] and Rio [Ngumoha] to develop.'
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Andy Robertson Responds to Liverpool Vice-Captain Rumours
Robertson, Rumour and Role: Shadows of Leadership at Liverpool In the humidity of Hong Kong's neon sky, Liverpool drifted through a pre-season spell that felt less like football and more like theatre. Against AC Milan, the match played out with a rhythm that twisted between purpose and mystery, leaving supporters with more questions than answers. Among them, one hums the loudest through the corridors of Anfield: who will become vice-captain now that Trent Alexander-Arnold has departed for Madrid's marble halls? This isn't a straightforward football tale. It's textured, laden with quiet glances and unspoken conversations. In the stillness following the Reds' defeat, a whisper took form — Andy Robertson. The Scotland captain, known for his relentless energy and razor-sharp edge down the left, was rumoured to be next in line. Photo: IMAGO Robertson Reacts in Shadows After the game, Robertson was asked directly about the role. The Scot responded, but it wasn't quite an answer, more of a laugh echoing through red mist. 'I've seen rumours, I've had texts and I've had people congratulating me, but I've not heard anything!' Robertson told The Anfield Wrap, a grin tugging at the corner of his words. 'We're obviously part of the leadership group, me, Mo [Salah], Ali [Alisson] and obviously Virgil being captain. The manager's not spoken to any of us yet, obviously we've lost Trent as vice captain so that role is available. But we do what we do, the four of us are a good tight-knit group.' It sounds casual. But listen closely, and there's something else beneath it. Something unsaid. Like an answer that's already written but waiting for the right time to be spoken aloud. Slot's Silence and the Decision Already Made Behind the curtain, Arne Slot already knows the name. Liverpool's head coach confirmed the decision exists. But like a magician holding a card behind his back, he refused to show it. 'It is probably already decided but I'm not telling it here yet who will be the new vice-captain,' Slot revealed after the match. 'But it's clear we have more than a few that can take that role.' Slot, who led Liverpool to Premier League glory in his very first season, operates not just with tactical brilliance but a sort of mysticism. He sees leadership not as a badge but a presence, a force humming through the training ground and dressing room alike. Leadership Beyond the Armband At Liverpool, vice-captaincy isn't only about titles. It's in gestures, eye contact, the silence before the storm. Robertson, Alisson, Salah — these figures move with gravity. Virgil van Dijk may wear the captain's armband, but the soul of leadership is diffused, like the red lights of Anfield spilling into fog. As rumours ripple and the truth waits, Liverpool prepare for what's next. The Premier League beckons again. The ghost of what was and the shape of what's coming both linger at Melwood, now under Slot's calm, cryptic command. Whether Robertson steps forward or remains part of the chorus, the play goes on. And Liverpool, under Slot's gaze, keep walking that line between clarity and dream.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
🎥 Liverpool new boy lifts the lid on his bizarre pre-season moment
Liverpool have taken the summer transfer market by storm in the wake of capturing Premier League honours in 2024/25, with many fans and pundits expecting the Reds to top the table once again in 2025/26. Arne Slot has watched the club brass open the cheque book in impressive fashion in recent weeks, with the Anfield side adding Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong, Ármin Pécsi, and Milos Kerkez to the senior ranks on the red half of Merseyside. Kerkez, 21, has already endeared himself to supporters as he settles to live with the champions since arriving from Bournemouth in a £40m deal, and has impressed in training as well as during the club's 3-1 pre-season win over Preston on 13 July. Speaking with the club's media, Kerkez jokingly expressed his desire to fight for the shirt and what it means to play for the English giants when quizzed on his bizarre attempt at a tackle against Preston North End. With many fans anticipating the possibility of the Hungarian international usurping the starting left-back role from Andy Robertson, current evidence suggests that he may not be too far off from doing just that. 📸 Matt McNulty - 2025 Getty Images
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Hugo Ekitike meets new Liverpool team-mates for first time on pitch in Hong Kong after training drill that saw Mo Salah floor wantaway Luis Diaz with crunching tackle
Hugo Ekitike linked up with his new Liverpool team-mates for the first time on Thursday after completing his £79million switch to Anfield. The 23-year-old striker, who signed from Eintracht Frankfurt on a six-year deal on Wednesday, jetted to Hong Kong to join Liverpool's preseason tour of the Far East and take part in a series of training sessions. Given the quick turnaround, it is unlikely Ekitike will feature during Liverpool's preseason friendly against AC Milan on Saturday, with Darwin Nunez having netted a hat-trick during the Reds' 5-0 win over Stoke before leaving the UK. Liverpool's official X account shared footage of the Frenchman walking out on to the pitch to meet his new team-mates, embracing manager Arne Slot before shaking hands with the likes of Andy Robertson, Conor Bradley and Harvey Elliott. As he made his way round the squad, Ekitike wore a beaming smile on his face and cut an excited figure - making sure to say hello to each and every one of Liverpool's squad and staff. The package Liverpool agreed for Ekitike was a £69m base fee plus £10m in add-ons, which are based on team and player performance. Meeting the Reds 👋 — Liverpool FC (@LFC) July 24, 2025 Hugo Ekitike (centre) met up with his new Liverpool team-mates for the first time on Thursday His arrival takes Liverpool's summer spend past a whopping £290m, with Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez and Giorgi Mamardashvili having already joined for sums of £116m, £29.5m, £40m and £29m respectively. Meanwhile, there have also been a handful of departures from Anfield this summer, with Trent Alexander-Arnold joining Real Madrid, Jarell Quansah signing for Bayer Leverkusen and Caoimhin Kelleher making the switch to Brentford. The Reds are also expected to sell a number of stars before the window closes, with the likes of Darwin Nunez, Luis Diaz and Harvey Elliot all heavily linked with moves away. Diaz, who has told Liverpool he wants to leave Anfield for a new challenge this summer, has attracted interest from several top European clubs including Bayern Munich and Barcelona. The German giants tabled a £58.6m transfer offer to sign the Colombian earlier this month, but their approach was immediately rejected by Liverpool who brought Diaz with them on their tour of the Far East. In a training drill just moments before Ekitike's arrival on to the pitch, Reds legend Mohamed Salah clattered into Diaz in an effort to win the ball back, sending his team-mate to the floor in a heap before continuing with the session. Many Liverpool fans saw the funny side on social media, joking that Salah - who committed his future to Anfield with a new contract last season - was giving the wantaway something to think about. Diaz takes a tumble after a challenge from Salah — Lewis Steele (@LewisSteele_) July 24, 2025 'Salah isn't having any of the exit talks, man': Liverpool fans saw the funny side on social media 'Salah isn't having any of the exit talks, man,' one fan posted on X. A second added: 'Salah telling him to buckle up.' Another fan chimed in and said: 'This is what happens when you want to leave.' During Liverpool's march to the Premier League title last season, Diaz scored 13 times and created a further five goals from 36 appearances during Slot 's debut campaign on Merseyside. As Mail Sport reported earlier this month, Liverpool place a great deal of importance on Diaz and value him beyond £100m – the same fee Manchester United rejected for their influential captain Bruno Fernandes from Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal at the beginning of June. Saudi clubs have also been monitoring Diaz for some time, with Al-Nassr at the head of the queue. They had discussed a bid in the region of €72m (£62.5m) prior to Bayern Munich's rejected approach.
Yahoo
21-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Liverpool Defender ‘Still Open to Leaving' This Summer
Why Andy Robertson's Liverpool Exit Feels More Likely Than Tsimikas Liverpool's summer transfer window has already delivered surprises, with Milos Kerkez arriving in a £40m move that strengthens the left-back position. But this signing has inevitably raised questions over the futures of Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas. David Lynch, speaking to Eddie Gibbs on Anfield Index, offered valuable insight into the situation, sharing why Robertson looks the more probable departure. Robertson's Openness to Change 'There was interest in Tsimikas last summer and you thought that he would be in a position to leave this summer but that hasn't been the case,' Lynch explained. While many assumed Tsimikas would move on, the Greek international appears content at Anfield for now. Robertson's stance, however, tells a different story. 'At the moment Andy Robertson seems more likely to go because he has made it clear that he wouldn't be against a departure to secure regular game time and he was open to the idea of the Atletico Madrid move,' Lynch revealed. This openness has been one of the more surprising aspects of the window, especially after Robertson's key role under Arne Slot during their title-winning campaign. Slot's Approach and Squad Evolution Arne Slot, fresh off delivering Liverpool's first Premier League title since 2020, has made it clear that no player's place is guaranteed. The addition of Kerkez signals a tactical evolution, with Slot favouring youth and flexibility. Robertson, now 30, may face a reduced role, something he reportedly finds hard to accept. It is worth noting that Tsimikas seems to have accepted his place. 'It does feel like that Tsimikas is happy to stay a little bit longer,' Lynch noted, suggesting the player sees value in being part of the squad even as a backup. Robertson, in contrast, has grown increasingly mindful of his minutes, perhaps sensing that his peak years demand regular starts, not rotation. Photo: IMAGO What Could Happen Next With weeks left in the window, activity around Robertson could heat up. Atletico Madrid are keen, and there is belief inside Liverpool that a suitable offer could trigger serious negotiations. 'Perhaps we can see some more activity regarding Robertson in the last few weeks of the window,' Lynch added. Liverpool fans will be watching closely, torn between sentiment and pragmatism. Robertson's contributions have been immense, but Slot's ambition to refresh the squad cannot be ignored. If Robertson departs, it will mark the end of an era but also signal the club's readiness to move forward with a fresh tactical identity.
