Liverpool will be aiming to secure three vital points in their pursuit of a top-five finish when they welcome Fulham on Saturday evening. The Reds will enter the match with a feeling of melancholy, aware that another icon of Jurgen Klopp's legendary Premier League and Champions League-winning squad will be departing at the end of the season.
Andy Robertson devastated supporters when he announced on Thursday night that he is to exit Anfield after nearly nine years this summer. The experienced full-back was pivotal for Klopp but has fallen out of favour under Arne Slot.
His exit follows other key figures of Liverpool's triumphs leaving the club in recent times. Trent Alexander-Arnold departed for Real Madrid last summer, while the shocking revelation that Mohamed Salah will also leave the club at the end of the current campaign emerged last month.
Today's Liverpool news sees the under-pressure Slot receive an update regarding his future from club chiefs. Elsewhere, Robertson's motive for leaving has been disclosed.
Despite Liverpool faltering in the Premier League, and their Champions League prospects hanging by a thread following PSG's 2-0 victory in Paris on Tuesday, the Reds are not believed to be contemplating removing Slot from his position.
According to The Telegraph, key figures within Fenway Sports Group believe the former Feyenoord manager deserves to retain his role heading into next season. The club are understood to want to afford the Dutchman another transfer window to shape his squad before reaching any significant conclusions.
The difficulties involved in identifying a suitable successor are also said to be a factor holding Liverpool back from dispensing with the Premier League-winning boss. One candidate that a section of supporters have mooted for the Reds' hotseat, former midfielder and club captain Steven Gerrard, believes Slot will be living on borrowed time should Liverpool fail to overcome Fulham on Saturday.
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He told talkSPORT: "The players have admitted it, the manager has, it's not good enough. It's a huge week, they've got to stand up and be counted, stick together and grasp the opportunity to put pressure on Aston Villa and Manchester United against Fulham, which is arguably as important.
"It's key, that's why I say I think the Fulham game is just as important. If the ownership sees that gap to Villa or United stretch, I worry for the manager's position."
Slot has shed light on precisely why Robertson has chosen to depart Liverpool this summer. The Scotsman, 32, arrived at Anfield from Hull City back in 2017 and played an instrumental role in ushering in a glittering period of success for the Merseyside club.
However, he has found himself largely on the periphery since the summer, with Milos Kerkez frequently preferred at left-back this season. Explaining Robertson's impending departure, Slot said: "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.
"He had many great seasons over here as a player but I think people got to know him as a great person as well. I got to know him, every team-mate will tell you how funny he is and how great a person he is and 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 and I showed that to the players I was working with then."
Robertson's Anfield contract is set to run out in June. While there had been conjecture surrounding a potential new deal with Liverpool, The Athletic reports that Tottenham Hotspur are confident of securing the left-back's signature, provided they steer clear of relegation this campaign.
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