Andy Robertson concedes he came close to Atleti move
Liverpool defender Andy Robertson acknowledged he came close to joining Atletico Madrid "at one point" during the recent transfer window.
Robertson has played 345 times for the Reds in all competitions since arriving from Hull City in 2017, helping the club win two Premier League titles, two Carabao Cups, the Champions League, FA Cup, Super Cup and Club World Cup.
The Scotland captain has played a key role in the success as a dynamic force from left-back, with his tally of 56 Premier League assists only bettered by former team-mate Trent Alexander-Arnold (64) since moving to Anfield.
However, the arrival of Milos Kerkez from Bournemouth has restricted Robertson to two substitute appearances in the English top flight this season.
The 31 year-old says he was briefly tempted by interest from Atletico, which Liverpool plays in its opening match of the new Champions League campaign, but opted to remain with the Reds and fight for his place.
When asked if a deal to join the LaLiga giant had been possible during the recent window, he replied: "Maybe, at one point.
"I do want to play games and be the starting left-back, and I have got to keep pushing to try to produce the levels I know I can do.
"The international break was good for me as I was able to get two [lots of] 90 minutes, get that match fitness and two really good results for Scotland, and I took a lot of confidence from that."
Kerkez has started all four Premier League games this season, but was substituted during the first half of Liverpool's 1-0 win over Burnley.
The former Bournemouth full-back received an early yellow card for a needless dive in the penalty area and was ultimately sacrificed by Arne Slot after subsequently walking on eggshells.
Nevertheless, Robertson is backing his positional rival to respond positively to that setback.
"He just needs to keep working hard and not let [Sunday] affect him, which it won't as he's a confident lad, and I'll help him as much as I can," Robertson said.
"He is only young, and I think we forget that. You try to help them as much as you can, but you want to put pressure on them, and you want to play games.
"He will be the starting left-back for Liverpool in the future, and it's up to me to push him this season and help him improve."
