As Andy Robertson prepares for his emotional Anfield farewell, the Scotland captain reflects on his nine-year legacy and the enduring bond between Liverpool and Scotland.
When Andy Robertson arrived at Anfield in 2017 as a relatively unheralded £8m signing from relegated Hull City, few could have predicted he would depart nine years later as one of the most decorated and beloved figures in Liverpool’s modern history. On Sunday, the Scotland captain will walk out at Anfield for the final time, bringing to a close a tenure that has seen him redefine the left-back position while carrying the torch for the long line of Scots who have shaped this club’s identity. It is a farewell that marks the end of an era, not just for the player, but for the tactical identity of the team itself.
The Enduring Scottish Lineage at Anfield
Robertson was not yet born when Sir Kenny Dalglish concluded his first managerial spell in 1991, but he arrived on Merseyside acutely aware of the ghosts he was following. In a recent conversation with Dalglish and his daughter Kelly Cates, Robertson reflected on how the names of Alan Hansen, Graeme Souness, and Dalglish himself were immediately invoked upon his signing. The connection between Liverpool and Scotland is the foundation upon which the club’s success was built, stretching back to the transformative years of Bill Shankly.
The 32-year-old has more than lived up to that heritage. Dalglish described him as a "great credit" to the club, a player who managed to bridge the gap between the legendary Scots of the 1980s and the modern, high-pressing era under Jurgen Klopp and Arne Slot. Robertson’s style—aggressive, tireless, and technically astute—resonated with a fanbase that demands total commitment. He played like a supporter who had somehow found his way onto the pitch, never taking a single minute of his 297 appearances for granted.
As he prepares for his final bow against Brentford, Robertson stands just ten caps away from equalling Dalglish’s record of 102 for Scotland. The symmetry of their careers was not lost on the 75-year-old Dalglish, who jokingly urged his successor to retire after the upcoming World Cup to protect his record. It was a lighthearted moment in a week filled with heavy nostalgia, acknowledging that Robertson has earned his place alongside the very best to ever represent the Saltire on Merseyside.
Overcoming the Tragedy of Diogo Jota
While Robertson’s Liverpool career has been defined by silverware, it has also been touched by profound grief. In a poignant reflection, Robertson spoke about the devastating impact of the death of his friend and teammate Diogo Jota in a car crash in July 2025. The tragedy fundamentally altered the atmosphere at the club, rendering football secondary as the squad attempted to process the loss of one of their most popular members during what should have been a standard pre-season period.
The loss of Jota left a profound void in the Liverpool dressing room. Photo: Getty Images.
Robertson admitted that the team’s subsequent inconsistency on the pitch was a direct byproduct of the emotional weight the players were carrying. While he refused to use the tragedy as an excuse for Liverpool’s fifth-place standing, he noted that the typical focus on fitness and tactics was impossible to maintain. The players felt an obligation to continue for the fans, but the mental toll of playing without their fallen teammate was visible in the team’s struggle to find their usual rhythm during the opening months of the campaign.
This shared experience of tragedy also bonded Robertson further with Dalglish, who famously guided the club through the aftermath of the Hillsborough disaster in 1989. Robertson’s honesty about the difficulty of maintaining elite performance levels while grieving provides a rare glimpse into the human reality behind the professional athlete. It showed a side of the Liverpool captain that the fans had always suspected: a man who feels the club’s highs and lows as deeply as any season-ticket holder in the Kop.
Redefining the Full-Back Role Under Klopp
The tactical legacy Robertson leaves behind is one of revolution. Along with Trent Alexander-Arnold, he transformed the role of the full-back from a defensive specialist into a primary creative outlet. His 60 Premier League assists are the second-most by a defender in the history of the competition, trailing only his teammate on the opposite flank. This output was instrumental in Liverpool’s ability to bypass congested midfields and stretch opponents, as Robertson’s overlapping runs became a signature of the club's attacking play.
His journey from the fourth tier of Scottish football with Queen's Park to a Champions League winner is the ultimate underdog story. Robertson recalled the desperation of the Liverpool fans for a Premier League title when he first arrived—a drought that had lasted nearly three decades. Being part of the squad that finally delivered that trophy in 2020 remains his proudest achievement, fulfilling a promise that felt like a burden on the club for years.
A year after heartbreak in Kyiv, the Reds secured European glory in the Spanish capital. Photo: Getty Images. 
The success was not without its moments of intense frustration. Robertson was part of the teams that twice finished just a single point behind Manchester City despite recording massive points totals. He also suffered the sting of two Champions League final defeats to Real Madrid. However, it was the mentality instilled by Jurgen Klopp that allowed the squad to bounce back. Robertson credited the German manager for his prophetic words after the 2018 defeat in Kyiv, promising the squad they would return to the final the following year—a promise they kept in spectacular fashion in Madrid.
A Final Farewell Alongside Mohamed Salah
Robertson isn't the only icon departing Anfield this summer. The match against Brentford will also be the final appearance for Mohamed Salah, who joined the club in the same 2017 transfer window. Together, they have formed one of the most enduring and effective partnerships in the club’s history, with Salah’s 257 goals often being facilitated by the tireless work of Robertson behind him. Seeing both players depart at the same time marks a definitive structural change for the squad.
The current season has been one of transition and frustration, as a £415m investment in the squad has yet to fully translate into consistent results. Robertson acknowledged that the team has let themselves down at times this year, lacking the aggression and determination that defined their peak years. However, he remains optimistic about the future, insisting that the current group of players only needs time to adapt to the post-Klopp reality and the tactical demands of the new coaching staff.
The prospect of Champions League football for next season—which can be guaranteed on Sunday barring a statistical miracle—is what Robertson calls the "bare minimum." He wants to leave the club in a position where the next generation can immediately challenge for top honors. His final week has been spent soaking in the atmosphere and saying his goodbyes to the staff at the AXA Training Centre, ensuring that he appreciates the gravity of the journey he has completed.
The World Cup and the Future Beyond Anfield
Once the final whistle blows on Sunday and the lap of honor is finished, Robertson will not have long to reflect. His focus will shift immediately to the international stage, where he will lead Scotland in their first men’s World Cup appearance in 28 years. It is a fitting next chapter for a player whose career has been defined by breaking long droughts and restoring national and club pride. Captaining his country on the world stage is the one achievement that could rival his trophy haul at Liverpool.
The advice from Sir Kenny Dalglish to "retire after the World Cup" was perhaps a subtle nod to the immense physical toll Robertson has taken on his body to maintain his level of play. Nine years of sprinting up and down the left flank for one of the most high-intensity teams in world football has left its mark, but Robertson’s desire remains undiminished. He leaves Liverpool not because he can no longer compete, but because he has climbed every mountain available to him in the red shirt.
As he prepares to walk down the tunnel one last time, Robertson does so with the knowledge that his name will be sung at Anfield for decades to come. He was the £8m bargain who became a billionaire in terms of medals and memories. From the muddy pitches of the Scottish fourth tier to the pinnacle of European football, Andy Robertson’s story is a testament to the power of perseverance, personality, and the enduring bond between Scotland and the city of Liverpool. Find more football news on MATCHLINE
