Liverpool left back Andrew Robertson was arguably the best player at his position just a few years ago, shining in the 2018/19 and 2019/20 campaigns when the Reds won the Champions League and the Premier League, respectively.
A great two-way fullback with the work rate, intensity, and playmaking skills to match anyone at the position, Robertson formed an all-time great duo with right back Trent Alexander-Arnold at the peak of his powers.
Although TAA is the one on an expiring contract and with heavy links to Real Madrid, it looks like between the two of them, Robertson is the less likely man to start for Liverpool in 2025.
That’s because Robertson’s play has fallen off a cliff in the 2024/25 season. He isn’t creating chances, he’s getting burned repeatedly defensively, and he is unable to get forward and support attacks without becoming a traffic cone on the other end.
Konstantinos Tsimikas already looks like a better option at left back for Liverpool, such is the precipitous nature of Robertson’s decline at 30, and the Reds seriously need to look at long-term options at the position on the transfer market.
According to Football Insider’s Peter O’Rourke, Liverpool are interested in signing Wolves left back Rayan Ait-Nouri, who is one of the better starters in the Premier League at the position.
Wolves may be willing to sell Ait-Nouri for less than expected, per the report. Ait-Nouri is just 23 and in the midst of a solid season, averaging nearly three combined tackles and interceptions per match with 1.4 dribbles completed per game as a solid two-way left back.
But Ait-Nouri, even at his best, isn’t all that much better than a declining Robertson. He has been better than Robertson this season so far, but that’s not particularly hard to do.
And that’s Robertson at his worst. You have to figure that Robertson is due to play at a level closer to what he did in the 2023/24 season, in which case he’d still be a better option than Ait-Nouri.
While Ait-Nouri is good, he isn’t great. Liverpool are a team with Champions League and Premier League title ambitions as current contenders, so their bar should be a left back who is world-class.
Ait-Nouri is an above-average starter for Wolves, the worst team in the Premier League right now. That’s hardly meeting the bar. As disappointing as Robertson has been this season and as concerning as his performances are for the future, Liverpool would be better served going after a stronger option.
