ENGLAND
Fulham left-back Antonee Robinson arouses Liverpool interest
The Cottagers left-back has become one of the sensations of the English league. There is already evidence of possible interest from Liverpool in signing him.
More than a third of the clubs in this season’s Premier League are based in the capital - Fulham have spent the past couple of decades trying to consolidate their place in the top flight since gaining promotion in 2001. Despite being relegated three times since then, the Cottagers have always known how to bounce back and in general, defy the all odds to usually finish mid-table.
Heading into the New Year, Marco Silva’s side are 13th with more defeats than the total sum between wins and draws but in spite of that, several players have managed to shine. Among them, an American full-back whose performances have caught the eye of some of the league’s top clubs - Antonee Robinson.
According to several reports, Liverpool are one of the clubs looking to acquire Robinson’s services. Both of Jürgen Klopp’s left-backs are currently sidelined - Andy Robertson suffered a dislocated shoulder while on duty for Scotland on October and remains out but could return early in the New Year. His understudy Kostas Tsimikas will miss the rest of the season after a freak accident left him with a fractured collarbone. In their absence, Joe Gomez has been deployed on the left but with Joel Matip also on the long-term casualty list, the Reds are looking very threadbare at the back with some important fixtures coming up, including a tough FA Cup Third Round clash away at Arsenal followed by the EFL Carabao Cup semi-final (funnily enough, against Fulham).
Could Liverpool snap up Antonee Robinson?
Klopp is believed to be admirer of Fulham’s young full-back so what are the chances Liverpool could place an offer in next month’s transfer window? According to Transfermartk, Antonee Robinson (who incidentally, came up through Everton’s youth system) is valued at 20 million euros - almost 10 times what the Cottagers paid Wigan for him in August 2020. However, the Londoners also have their heart set on making it to the Carabao Cup final and Robinson is their first-choice left-back although Fodé Ballo-Touré has been used sporadically in recent weeks - coming on as a late sub. Antonee is under contract until June 2028 and it’s practically impossible to see Fulham selling any of their first team regulars. And even if Liverpool were to twist their arm and snaffle Robinson, it’s unlikely that the 22-year-old would fit into the first team straight away. Klopp likes to make sure new arrivals are fully settled and know his system inside out before giving them a competitive run-out.
For now, the left-sided full-back has established himself on his own merits as the third best player on this squad, according to SofaScore’s stats. Being practically the undisputed starter in this first round (he has only missed one Premier game), Robinson is one of the sensations of the current campaign. With three assists in 18 games (the same as Trent Alexander-Arnold), he has positioned himself among the top assisting full-backs, only surpassed by Kieran Trippier (Newcastle) and Pedro Porro (Spurs).
He is also the second player in Fulham’s first team with the most total duels won (5.9 - 58%) and the third with the most recoveries per game (6.4). What is certain is that if the former Everton player leaves, Marco Silva will lose a fundamental pillar in his scheme.