Liverpool defender gives Richard Hughes HUGE contract decision to make

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot and sporting director Richard Hughes opted to sign Milos Kerkez last summer.

The 21-year-old cost around £40m from Bournemouth in a significant investment - with Kostas Tsmikas being allowed to join Roma on an initial one-year loan deal.

Kerkez’s signing was supposed to herald the end of Andy Robertson’s stranglehold on Liverpool’s left-back spot.

Since breaking into the team in 2017, the Scotland captain had seen and done it all for the Reds - winning the Premier League title, Champions League and many other honours.

But in truth the signs of wear and tear were beginning to tell last season.

Robertson decided to STAY

He had an own goal, a red card and conceded a penalty. Slot removed him from the lineup on several occasions - with Tsimikas starting more games than he perhaps might have expected.

With Kerkez coming into the club, the writing was on the wall. Robertson’s contract was ticking down to 2026 - but he was even linked with a summer move to Atletico Madrid.

He opted to stay and knuckle down however - even if Kerkez was preferred early in the Premier League season.

That decision now looks like it’s been vindicated.

A brilliant fightback from Robertson

This season has seen a tremendous fight-back from the 31-year-old - who just a few short months ago looked destined for the Anfield history books.

Kerkez’s lack of form has opened the door for Robbo to take his starting place back. And in recent victories against Eintracht Frankfurt, Aston Villa and Real Madrid he has looked once again like his old self.

The discussion now becomes whether Robertson is worth a NEW deal - considering his class, experience and leadership.

He has demonstrated he’s still got plenty to offer - even if it remains to be seen how he gets through the demands of a 50 or 60-game season.

Robertson is worthy of a new deal

Richard Hughes will have a significant decision to make before that contract runs down. Robertson is reported to be on £160k per week - a huge wage for someone designated as the “reserve” left-back.

That will have to be taken into account - as well as the duration of any deal offered. Given Robertson’s age, it’s unlikely he will get any longer than a one-year extension.

On his current form and trajectory however, it’s certainly worth considering.

There has been no moaning, no unnecessary drama. Instead he’s bided his time, waited for his opportunity and struck back where it matters - on the pitch in the most testing of circumstances. To get back in the team is a great achievement.

To earn a new contract would go someway beyond that.

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