Arne Slot sends heartfelt message to Andy Robertson and explains Liverpool exit

• 

• Liverpool FC News
• Features
• Andy Robertson

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has paid tribute to Andy Robertson after the Scotland captain confirmed he would leave the club in the summer when his contract expires

Andy Robertson and Arne Slot after Liverpool won at Nottingham Forest.(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)

Andy Robertson will leave Liverpool this summer when his contract expires and Arne Slot has paid tribute to the Scotland left-back, who departs as a Reds legend.

"He had many great seasons over here as a player but I think people got to konw him as a great person as well, I got to know him, every teammate will tell you how funny he is and how great a person he is," Slot said.

"That has been shown a lot on social media as well. What I remember most about him is the intensity he is always playing with. We have learned something about intensity two days ago, but I can remember Robbo making a press from left full-back to right-back a few years ago.

"I showed that to the players I was working with then. He has won everything here, really loves this club, it has been a great nine years at the club.

"But we saw this season he didn't play as much as he used to and as a result of that, he is leaving. It is difficult to be in that position longer than a season. Every player wants as much regular first-team football as possible."

"I think I feel better now that it’s out in the open [that I'm leaving]," Robertson said in an interview with club media to confirm the decision on Thursday.

Andy Robertson confirmed he will leave Liverpool at the end of the season.(Image: LFC TV)

"The hardest bit [in] the last couple of weeks and months is some people that are close to me in the training ground don’t know and more importantly, the fans.

"The closer it gets, the more and more questions you start to get. I’ve always said that the fans are the most important people at this club and I just think now is the time to tell them what’s going on and that obviously this will be my last year.

"I just think it’s better being out in the open, that now I can fully focus on the team from now until the end of the season. I think it’s important that I do that, I’ve always done that.

"But the time to have the emotional farewell and tell the fans and the people connected to this club what they mean to me, that will come closer to the end.

"I don’t think I’m quite ready for that yet. It’s just to try to get it out there so I can now be open and honest with everyone."

Teammates including Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah and Curtis Jones sent messages of thanks to Robertson on social media, with each using the word "legend".

"Consistency at the highest level over the last nine years," Joe Gomez wrote, alongside a picture of the two defenders with the Premier League trophy.

"Done it on every stage and won it all. Your standards, your mentality and your personality have had such a huge impact on all of us. You've given absolutely everything for this club and everyone within it."