Confident Brian Laudrup reckons that Scotland captain Andy Robertson will survive Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool overhaul this summer.
It's been a tough campaign at Anfield with the club failing to recapture the form of last term, that saw them reach the Champions League final and push Manchester City all the way in the English Premier League title race. This term the search for silverware looks increasingly unlikely with the Reds already crashing out of the FA Cup, and having to settle for the top four battle in England's top flight.
The club go into the second leg with Real Madrid needing a massive fightback at the Bernabeu after being thumped by the European champions 5-2 on Merseyside, with attention quickly turning to the overhaul of an ageing Anfield squad. Former Chelsea, Milan and Rangers star Laudrup insists Robertson will survive the cull after his impressive performance in the 7-0 demolition of Manchester United.
Writing for the Daily Mail, the Dane also pinpointed Mason Mount and Jude Bellingham as potential recruits to add a new "dynamism" to the midfield engine room. He said: "If anyone doubted whether Andy Robertson should still be counted among the world's very best full-backs, Sunday afternoon at Anfield provided an emphatic answer. Robertson was magnificent.
"A non-stop show of excellence during Liverpool's transformative 7-0 hammering of Manchester United. I was lucky enough to be covering the game for Danish television, in the company of Jan Molby. It was sensational viewing. And, where Robertson is concerned, I'm sure Scotland manager Steve Clarke enjoyed watching it every bit as much.
"Ahead of a new European Championship qualifying campaign beginning later this month, Robertson provided a perfect reminder of the heights he can reach. Personally, I never questioned him. But when a club like Liverpool endures the kind of results they've had for much of this season, people start to wonder what needs to be changed.
"There's been a lot of talk about an ageing squad in need of refreshment. Particularly in midfield. Names like Mason Mount and Jude Bellingham have been suggested to continue a reboot bringing fresh dynamism to join this season's newcomers Cody Gakpo and Darwin Nunez.
"Everyone has been looking to see who is going to be part of this next phase at Liverpool. And who Jurgen Klopp might look to move on.
"Robertson will keep on being a mainstay. I'm sure of it. As long as he can continue to summon those incredible energy levels, he will be there. And, at 28, I think he's got quite some time to go yet.
"When he plays like he did on Sunday, why would you look anywhere else for a left-back? I can't imagine the thought has seriously crossed Klopp's mind even as he considers the work that might need to be done in the transfer market."
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