The Empire of The Kop

Fabrizio Romano had some rather eye-catching transfer news for Liverpool fans on Wednesday evening as he reported that Andy Robertson has verbally agreed a move to Tottenham Hotspur.

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Along with Mo Salah, the 32-year-old bade an emotional farewell to Anfield last Sunday after nine years with the Reds in which they won two Premier League titles, the Champions League and several other trophies.

Ben Jacobs reported earlier this week that there was an ‘agreement in principle’ for the Scotland captain to join Spurs, and it now seems as though that transfer is inevitable.

Romano gives Robertson to Spurs the ‘here we go’

Romano took to X on Wednesday evening to report that Robertson is on his way to north London, with the 2025 Europa League winners having previously sounded out Liverpool about a potential move for him in January.

The Italian transfer guru posted: ‘EXCL: Tottenham reach verbal agreement to sign Andy Robertson, here we go! Pact expected to be respected and deal to be signed soon despite Juventus proposal to try hijack the deal. Robertson, wanted by THFC last January and again now with De Zerbi. It’s happening.’

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What are Liverpool’s left-back plans for next season after Robertson exit?

It had previously been reported that Spurs would be the left-back’s preference so long as they preserved their Premier League status (The Telegraph), and having finally accomplished that mission last weekend, Roberto De Zerbi’s side now look set to snap up the Liverpool legend.

Even the photoshopped image of Robertson in the shirt of the north London club in Romano’s post looks jarring for those of us who’d become so accustomed to seeing him in Merseyside red over the past decade, but we probably better start getting used to seeing him in opposition colours from hereon.

The 32-year-old is duly poised to return to Anfield with the away team at some point next season, and whenever that happens, he’ll undoubtedly be given the warmest of welcomes from the supporters who showered him with affection during his send-off last Sunday.

For Liverpool, it now leaves Milos Kerkez as the clear first-choice at left-back, though it’ll be interesting to see what happens in terms of cover for the Hungarian.

Will Kostas Tsimikas resume his backup role upon returning from his loan spell at Roma? Do the Reds promote from within (Owen Beck steps up to senior squad), or do they seek to bring in an affordable alternative who could challenge our number 6 for a starting berth?

While Robertson’s future now seems to be resolved, there remains a big question over LFC’s left-backs plans for next season.

Andy Robertson signed off on a glorious nine-year Liverpool career on Sunday afternoon, starting on his final appearance for the Reds as they drew 1-1 against Brentford.

The 32-year-old soaked in the appreciation of the home fans after the final whistle in the company of his family and teammates as he savoured his final moments at Anfield as an LFC player.

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Thoughts will now turn to where the Scotland captain ends up next, and according to one reporter over the past 24 hours, he may well be back in L4 next season in the colours of the away team.

Robertson has ‘agreement in principle’ to join Spurs

Ben Jacobs took to X on Sunday night to report that Robertson seems poised for a move to Tottenham Hotspur, who finally made sure of their Premier League status for 2026/27 with a final-day win over Everton.

The journalist posted: ‘Andy Robertson set to join Spurs now their Premier League status is secure. Agreement in principle already in place.’

The north London club had lodged an enquiry with Liverpool for the Scottish left-back on deadline day of the winter transfer window earlier this year, but Anfield chiefs instantly made it clear that the player – who hadn’t yet announced his departure from LFC at that point – wouldn’t be made available.

However, after it was confirmed that the 32-year-old would be leaving Merseyside at the end of this season, The Telegraph‘s Dominic King reported that Spurs would be Robertson’s preference, so long as they maintaned their top-flight status.

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Could Robertson be back at Anfield next season for the away team?

With Roberto De Zerbi’s side facing in the Premier League once again next term, it means that the Scotland captain could conceivably be back at Anfield in the coming months, but playing against Liverpool rather than for them.

That was the novelty experienced by Jordan Henderson, Caoimhin Kelleher and Sepp van den Berg for Brentford yesterday, and judging by the warm welcome that they all received, our departing no.26 would be afforded an even more rapturous reception if he were to return with Spurs.

Robertson is still only 32 and definitely has a few more years left in him at the top level, and now that the north Londoners have swerved the threat of relegation, it’s plausible that he might end up at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the near future.

Whatever might be in store for him next, what’s indisputable is that he earned the right to depart Liverpool on his own terms, and it’s only fitting that he was given such a rousing send-off from the appreciative Anfield faithful on Sunday.

One Premier League defender has reportedly indicated which club out of Liverpool or Manchester United he would prefer to join, if given the opportunity.

The Merseysiders had been strongly linked with Micky van de Ven when he was at Wolfsburg three years ago, and discussions took place between the clubs over a potential deal, but Tottenham Hotspur were more proactive in their efforts to land him and duly secured his signature.

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There were reports from Daily Mail in January indicating that Anfield chiefs had once again been ‘developing a keen interest’ in the Netherlands international, and it seems that the desire might be mutual.

Van de Ven would choose Liverpool over Man United

According to a report for TEAMtalk, the 25-year-old would choose to sign for Liverpool over Man United ‘without hesitation’ if both clubs were to table formal offers.

Van de Ven is ‘a self-confessed Reds supporter’ and, if he were to leave Spurs, ‘would prioritise Anfield above most other destinations’, although prising him away from north London could be an expensive endeavour.

FSG are ‘extremely keen’ on bringing the Dutch defender to Merseyside, although Roberto De Zerbi’s side value him in the region of £60m-£80m.

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Liverpool must use that to their advantage

If these reports are accurate and the centre-back would be swayed towards his childhood club, that’s something Liverpool must use to their advantage if indeed they’re eager to sign him.

Man United’s return to the Champions League under Michael Carrick could make them a more enticing proposition for players than they have been over the last couple of years, but a move to Anfield would give Van de Ven the opportunity to spend one season alongside compatriot Virgil van Dijk before taking over as the lynchpin of our defence.

Pace is a commodity that James Pearce has urged LFC to prioritise in the summer transfer window, and the Spurs defender would provide that in abundance – in 2024, he set a Premier League record for the fastest-ever recorded sprint at a lightning-quick 37.38 km/h (Sky Sports).

The Dutchman isn’t a mere speed merchant, either. His tally of seven goals this season (bettered by only four Liverpool players) shows that he offers a goal threat from set pieces, although Fotmob data indicates that he ranks below the top-flight average for core defensive attributes such as tackles, interceptions and blocks.

Even if the north Londoners avoid relegation, the prospect of Champions League football (which the Reds should be able to provide from hereon) may well entice him away from Tottenham and, potentially, to Anfield.

There’s a sense of frustration around Liverpool right now, both on and off the pitch, and fresh comments from Mauricio Pochettino have only served to remind us how fine the margins can be when building a successful side.

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With supporters protesting ticket prices and questioning decisions at board level, it’s a timely reminder that recruitment choices can define entire eras.

Pochettino admits Liverpool beat Spurs to key signings

Speaking on Stick to Football, Mauricio Pochettino opened up on Tottenham’s failed attempts to sign two players who would go on to become central figures under Jurgen Klopp.

The Argentine explained: “I think I can tell you, we tried, I think it was 2016 after we finished the season, we tried to sign two players and I think it’s public.

“And after they moved to another club that after they won the Premier League and they beat us in the in the Champion League final.”

When pressed on the names, the former Spurs boss confirmed: “Sadio Mane and Gini Wijnaldum and yes for different reason we can’t achieve that but I think it’s always you need some this luck to bring these players in.”

He even acknowledged the long-term impact of that decision, adding: “I remember that we were also interested in them but they decide to move to to Liverpool and after they both beat us in 2019.”

A reminder of what built Klopp’s Liverpool

Those two signings proved pivotal for us, with Sadio Mane and Georginio Wijnaldum forming part of the spine that delivered both the Champions League and Premier League.

Wijnaldum himself once explained why his role worked so well under Klopp, saying: “It’s always difficult to say what is the perfect midfielder but I think at Liverpool, my style fit good… maybe for Liverpool I was but I can understand for other teams it will be difficult.”

Mane too was a revelation, someone our former boss still speaks about and most recently saying, “What a player he was” was a simple example of his adoration for the Senegalese winger.

At a time when fans are making their voices heard about the direction of the club, Pochettino’s comments underline a simple truth, because while engagement off the pitch matters, it’s decisions like these that ultimately shape success on it.

Back then, we got them right, and the rewards followed.

Andy Robertson is in ‘advanced talks’ with Tottenham over a summer transfer, reports Sami Mokbel.

The Scotland international is set to become a free agent at the end of the 2025/26 season, with Spurs ready to capitalise.

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The former Hull City fullback has already confirmed that this will be his final season at Anfield.

This comes after Merseysiders opted not to offer Robertson a contract extension.

Andy Robertson closing in on Tottenham summer transfer

Mokbel, reporting with BBC Sport, noted that a full agreement has yet to be sealed between the two parties. However, talks are reportedly at an ‘advanced stage’.

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The key factor that will ultimately decide whether the left-back makes the move to north London, of course, is the ongoing question of Tottenham’s Premier League status.

Roberto De Zerbi’s men find themselves in the middle of a relegation scrap, with the club two points behind West Ham in 17th in safety.

Tottenham could miss out on Robertson transfer

There’s a very real possibility that the Londoners could miss out on Andy Robertson’s transfer this summer.

Of course, if a relegation occurs, this will very much be the least of Tottenham’s worries ahead of what they hope will end up being a brief stay in the Championship.

Either way, it would almost certainly spell the end of talks between the two parties, with the Scotland international taking his services elsewhere.

Atletico Madrid were, at one point, credited with interest in Robertson’s services, though it remains to be seen whether the La Liga giants could be tempted back to the table.

Regardless, we’ve no doubts there will be plenty of suitors willing to hand the Premier League legend a contract.

Wayne Rooney said that one Liverpool player was ‘a joy to watch’ in the Reds’ 1-1 draw against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.

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Following a series of impressive cameos from Rio Ngumoha in recent weeks, Arne Slot rewarded the 17-year-old with a first Premier League start for the visit of Spurs to Anfield, with the Dutchman acting upon his pre-match hints that the teenager could be included in the starting XI.

The young attacker played for just over an hour before being substituted to a standing ovation from the home fans, and his performance against Igor Tudor’s side came in for plenty of praise.

Rooney: Ngumoha was ‘a joy to watch’ against Spurs

Speaking on Match of the Day on Sunday night, Rooney said of the Liverpool starlet: “Ngumoha is direct and positive. It is a joy to watch these young players willing to take the ball… You wanted the Liverpool players to keep giving him the ball. He is exciting and entertaining.”

Micah Richards concurred with his punditry colleague, saying: “We see a lot of modern-day footballers get into good positions and play the safe pace to recycle possession, but he is positive and sharp.

“Pedro Porro found it very difficult because he didn’t know what to do with Ngumoha. The next part of his development is the final ball.”

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Ngumoha must be in line to start against Galatasaray

Ngumoha’s performance on Sunday was also lauded by Jamie Carragher on Sky Sports, with the former Liverpool defender saying that the 17-year-old was ‘brilliant’ and virtually impossible for opponents to stop when facing him one-on-one.

Liverpool Echo reporter Ian Doyle awarded him 7/10 in his post-match player ratings, opining that the teenager was ‘pretty quiet’ in the first half but ‘improved’ after the interval, echoing Richards in noting the ‘problems’ he caused for Porro.

The Reds winger completed 90% of his passes and all seven dribbles that he attempted on Sunday, along with winning eight out of his 10 duels, a very impressive return for such a young player against far more experienced operators (Sofascore).

It wouldn’t surprise us if Slot were to restore Ngumoha to the bench for the must-win Champions League game against Galatasaray in midweek in favour of more seasoned attackers, but the youngster would fully merit another start on Wednesday night.

With Liverpool requiring a victory to keep their European campaign alive, the fearlessness and attacking thrust of the 17-year-old is exactly what we need at Anfield. Right now, he appears to be one of the likeliest prospective match-winners in a team which has looked all too mundane of late.

Micah Richards expressed concern at one Liverpool player who’s ‘struggling’ after what he witnessed in the 1-1 draw against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.

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Arne Slot sprung some interesting changes to his starting XI for the visit of Spurs to Anfield, with Jeremie Frimpong replacing Mo Salah on the right-hand side of attack and Dominik Szoboszlai being deployed at right-back.

Although the Hungarian added yet another free kick goal to his collection, his absence from midfield was ultimately missed as Richarlison punished a flat performance from the Reds with a 90th-minute equaliser.

Richards concerned by ‘struggling’ Mac Allister

Whilst dissecting the weekend’s Premier League action on The Rest Is Football, Richards claimed that Liverpool were poorer for not having their number 8 in the middle of the park and voiced concern over the performance of Alexis Mac Allister.

The pundit said: “The balance in midfield when Szoboszlai doesn’t play in there is not the same. It misses that energy. It’s not only what he does going forward – the amount of times he works back and has that energy in midfield and keeps them going.

“Mac Allister at the moment is struggling off the ball. On the ball [he’s] neat and tidy, but he’s getting overrun in midfield, and they need to look at that. Liverpool are a better side when Szoboszlai is in midfield because of his energy.”

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Could Mac Allister be dropped for Galatasaray showdown?

After Paul Gorst claimed in recent days that the Argentine is ‘essentially on trial at Liverpool with regards to a new deal’, he could’ve done with a convincing performance against Spurs on Sunday to answer some of the external criticism.

Unfortunately, the 27-year-old looked lightweight in midfield and was handed a lowly 5/10 match rating from the Liverpool Echo‘s Ian Doyle, who wrote that the World Cup winner ‘flitted in and out before becoming very peripheral [in the] second half’.

A cross-section of Mac Allister’s statistics from yesterday (via Sofascore) perfectly underline the point that Richards is making – the Reds’ number 10 is fine when he has the ball, but there are serious concerns in terms of his work out of possession.

Alexis Mac Allister v Spurs Passes completed 38/42 (90%) Key passes 2 Accurate long balls 2/2 Duels won 2/12 Dribbled past 4

On Wednesday night against Galatasaray, we expect Slot to revert to a more conventional starting XI with Salah in attack, Frimpong resuming his customary right-back role and Szoboszlai moving into midfield, where he can maximise his impact on proceedings.

That domino effect could viably see the Argentina international dropping to the bench, and it was indicative of Liverpool’s feebleness in midfield that the head coach sacrificed an attacker in Cody Gakpo for Trey Nyoni in the final few minutes of the match yesterday.

Mac Allister is a fantastic footballer and we don’t doubt that we’ll see the best of him again, but on current form it wouldn’t surprise us if he were dropped to the bench in midweek.

Liverpool’s frustrating 1-1 draw with Tottenham at Anfield has sparked strong criticism from former striker John Aldridge, who did not hide his disappointment with the way the game ended.

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Arne Slot’s side looked set to claim a crucial victory in the race for Champions League qualification after Dominik Szoboszlai’s first-half free-kick put us ahead.

However, the match followed a familiar pattern that Liverpool supporters have seen too many times this season.

Richarlison struck in the 90th minute to earn Spurs a point and leave the Reds ruing another late concession.

The reaction among fans inside Anfield was one of frustration, and Aldridge shared the same sentiment when reacting on X shortly after the final whistle.

The Liverpool legend wrote: “We got exactly what was deserved! It became shambolic after 80 mins, words fail to a degree. It feels like we’ve lost 😩 Shambolic near the end.”

Late goals becoming Liverpool’s biggest issue

we got exactly what was deserved!!!It became shambolic after 80 mins ,words fail to a https://t.co/SNO824IWUX feels like we've lost😩Shambolic near the end.

— John Aldridge (@Realaldo474) March 15, 2026

Aldridge’s frustration reflects a growing problem for Liverpool this season.

Richarlison’s equaliser was the eighth Premier League goal we have conceded in the 90th minute or later during the campaign, highlighting a recurring inability to close matches out.

That trend has been particularly damaging at Anfield, where Liverpool have now dropped seven points from winning positions in the league.

When the Reds led through Szoboszlai’s goal, the expectation was that three points would follow.

Instead, the performance deteriorated late in the game, allowing Tottenham to build pressure before eventually finding the equaliser.

Criticism mounting around Liverpool performances

Aldridge is not the only former Red to question Liverpool’s display.

Jamie Carragher also voiced his frustration during the match while working on commentary, arguing that Liverpool were “sleepwalking” towards conceding and suggesting Spurs deserved their late reward.

Meanwhile Roy Keane delivered an even harsher assessment after the final whistle, accusing the Reds of being “bad champions” following the dramatic drop-off from last season’s title-winning campaign.

Those opinions underline the wider mood around the club right now.

Liverpool still sit fifth in the Premier League table and remain firmly in the race for Champions League qualification, but performances like the one against Tottenham are making that task far more difficult than it should be.

For Aldridge and many supporters watching on Sunday, the most frustrating part was how avoidable it all felt.

Paul Merson has suggested that Arne Slot could end up at another Premier League club if he were to be dismissed as Liverpool head coach.

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The Dutchman has come under increasing scrutiny this season as the Reds’ top-flight title defence has crumbled miserably, with the Merseysiders left to try and salvage Champions League qualification for 2026/27 and currently sitting sixth in the table.

Today the 47-year-old will be hoping to capitalise on Chelsea’s Saturday slip-up by winning at home to a Tottenham Hotspur side who sit just one point above the relegation zone, and whose own boss (Igor Tudor) is believed to be on borrowed time despite only taking the job last month.

Merson: Slot needs Champions League qualification to keep his job

Speaking on Sky Sports‘ Soccer Saturday, Merson claimed that winning the FA Cup wouldn’t spare Slot from the sack if Liverpool fail to qualify for the Champions League.

The pundit said: “If he won the FA Cup but didn’t finish in Champions League positions it wouldn’t make any difference at all. I think Liverpool have got to get in the Champions League with the [financial] fair play rule. The more you get into the Champions League, the better quality player you can bring in.”

Merson then expressed a bold prediction as to where the Dutchman may end up if he leaves Anfield, saying: “He will have to get in the top four, I would have thought, otherwise he’d be [the next] Tottenham manager.”

Could Slot plausibly end up at Spurs if he’s sacked by Liverpool?

Ironically, Slot was understood to be a leading candidate for the Spurs job three years ago, only to turn them down in favour of remaining at Feyenoord for one more season before Liverpool came calling (The Athletic).

The Dutchman’s finest moment as LFC head coach came against the north Londoners on the day of the 5-1 win at Anfield last April which confirmed the Reds as Premier League champions. Defeat in that fixture today would arguably mark the lowest point of the 47-year-old’s time on Merseyside.

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Merson is among numerous pundits to claim that Slot’s job at Liverpool could hinge on whether or not they qualify for the Champions League, and it’s not implausible that FSG could pull the trigger if they miss out on the riches which come from participating in Europe’s flagship club competition.

If that were to happen, would the current LFC boss resurface at Spurs a few months later? That may well depend on the outcome of the Londoners’ season, with relegation from the top flight a genuine possibility if they fail to arrest their ongoing decline.

With all due respect, it’s difficult to envisage the man who won the Premier League less than a year ago dropping down to the Championship so soon after that triumph, should that indeed be the fate to which Tudor’s current side are consigned.

For now, though, Slot has a job to do at Liverpool, and victory today is essential in order to capitalise on Chelsea’s slip-up against Newcastle and propel the Reds back into the Champions League qualification places (on the presumption that fifth will be good enough to earn that golden ticket).

Arne Slot has warned his Liverpool side to beware facing a ‘wounded animal’ in Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield on Sunday.

Both teams have endured a desperately disappointing season, with the Reds languishing in sixth place and facing a battle just to qualify for the Champions League.

For Spurs, our ‘crisis’ represents a distant dream, with the north Londoners sitting just one point above the relegation zone as of Saturday morning and having not won a Premier League match since the end of December.

Slot warns Liverpool to beware ‘wounded animal’ Spurs

Despite the precarious situation in which Igor Tudor’s side find themselves, Slot has used his programme notes for tomorrow’s game to warn Liverpool fans not to expect a cakewalk at Anfield.

The Reds’ head coach wrote (via Liverpool FC): ‘This means taking on a Tottenham team which has its own reasons for needing a strong finish to the campaign. For someone like me who always followed English football from a distance before coming to this country, it is strange seeing them in their current situation, and this is one of the reasons why I do not expect it to last.

‘At the same time, their circumstances mean they will arrive at Anfield not just as a wounded animal, but also as a team which knows it has to scrap for survival and which has a point to prove. This makes them a dangerous opponent regardless of recent results or league position, and we will treat them as such.’

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Liverpool can’t afford to take Spurs for granted

Paul Merson and Chris Sutton are among the numerous pundits expecting a comfortable home win for Liverpool on Sunday, and the teams’ respective league positions – as well as Spurs’ horrendous form – would make the Reds clear favourites to claim all three points.

For the under-fire Tudor, the task is made even harder by Cristian Romero and Joao Palhinha joining a top-heavy injury list which also includes Micky van de Ven, Yves Bissouma, James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski among a dozen confirmed absences (Premier Injuries).

All logic would seemingly point towards victory for LFC, but Slot isn’t just merely toeing the diplomatic line with his comments on tomorrow’s opponents – he knows all too well that his side can’t take their visitors for granted.

Three of the current bottom six have taken points at Anfield already this season (Nottingham Forest helped themselves to all three in November), and the recent defeat to bottom club Wolves again highlighted Liverpool’s infuriating tendency to trip up in games they’d be expected to win emphatically.

Also, Spurs go to Anfield without the usual burden of expectation which is placed upon them in Premier League fixtures and may feel they have a point to prove with so many pundits effectively giving their team talk for them by writing them off so readily.

If the Reds play with the right attitude for 90+ minutes and are ruthless in both penalty boxes, they’ll likely have too much quality for their opponents to handle. However, Slot is right to warn against complacency, and his side have their own critics to answer on Sunday.