Andy Robertson transfer exit has Liverpool fans worried and angry as Scots title safety net ripped away in an instant
If Robertson leaves for Atletico Madrid fans will be denied a farewell and club will be missing a constant ingredient for league success
The time for Andy Robertson to leave Liverpool may be fast approaching.
Atletico Madrid are reportedly keen to land the Scotland skipper this summer and with Robertson in the last year of his Anfield contract and Bournemouth's Milos Kerkez about to arrive as Arne Slot 's new left back, the 31-year-old might recognise it as a good time to bow out.
Talks have taken place over a new deal but Robertson admits his future remains far from certain.
A switch to the Spanish capital would put him back in best mate Trent Alexander-Arnold's orbit as well after the right back made his move to Real Madrid this summer - a move which did not go down well with the red half of Merseyside.
Robertson is held in high regard by both club and fans in the city, having arrived for a bargain fee from Hull City and helped deliver one Champions Leagues, two Premier League titles, two League Cups and an FA Cup.
First of all, fans will be annoyed at not getting to give Robertson a proper send off after seven years as a red.
Secondly, and perhaps more worryingly, it would leave Liverpool needing to retain their league crown in a way they;ve never done before.
That's because the club have never won one without at least one Scot in their squad.
Going back to the turn of the last century, the squad that claimed the club's first ever championship in 1900/01 had more Scottish players than any other nationality, with nine making up the bulk of the team.
The class of 05/06 was down to just five, before going back-to-back in 1921/22 and 22/22 with three players from north of the border.
The 1946/47 champions featured five Scots and then one more 20 years later when they were champions again.
They were back down to three in 1972/73 and just two a couple of years later in Peter Cormack and Brian Hall.
Cormack was the sole Scot in 76/77, but the club's domination of English football was just beginning and Scottish stars would be at the heart of it.
78/79 was the first title winning campaign featuring Graeme Souness and Kenny Dalglish and from then on, Liverpool never looked back.
Seven league crowns went to Anfield in the next ten years, with the likes of Alan Hansen, Frank McGarvey, Steve Nicol, John McGregor, Gary Gilespie, John Wark, Kevin MacDonald and Alan Irvine all playing their part in various victorious campaigns until Robertson continued the incredible run two decades later.
Ben Doak remains on the Anfield books so technically, the Scottish safety net is still there, although after spending last season on loan at Middlesbrough and recent injury problems, his invovlementin Slot's first team plans is far from certain.
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