Speaking exclusively with BOYLE Sports , former Liverpool defender Glen Johnson has offered his perspective on what could be next for Liverpool legend Andy Robertson weighing up a move to potentially Premier League bound Coventry or an emotional return to Scotland with Celtic this summer.
Johnson has earmarked Jeremie Frimpong as a potential replacement for Mohamed Salah at RW, and has lent his perspective on who could fulfil the long-term RB role and whether a dramatic return to the club for Trent Alexander-Arnold could be on the cards or if Ben White could be an option.
The ex- England full-back has also argued that despite Trent's qualities, Reece James is the perfect choice to start as England's World Cup RB.
Andy Robertson
Robertson To Coventry City?
Naturally, if Andy Robertson were to leave to go to a promoted club, it's technically a step back, but there aren't many steps forward from Liverpool . However, in terms of a newly promoted side that has a plan, you could understand why they'd want him for sure.
Thinking about his experience, trophies, age, helping the youngsters around him, and giving the dressing room a boost, having a Champions League winner in the dressing room, especially when they might be in the Premier League for the first time in God knows how long. You can see how that would absolutely give them a lift.
Whether he has the desire for that kind of challenge is something we'd have to ask him. He might want to go and play in the sun somewhere for the last few years instead, but I'd say he can answer that more accurately at the weekend. But yes, you can see why a team like Coventry or Wrexham would want him.
Will Robertson Turn Too Celtic?
For Andy Robertson , going back to the Motherland, I'm sure his family will be there, won't they? So, I'm sure if he could go there and pick up a couple of trophies, that would be high on his to-do list. But again, I'm sure if he's available, then there are going to be quite a few options for him, I'd imagine.
If you asked me and I was Scottish and maybe a bit older than 31, I'd probably go Celtic , easier football, win the league and sort of go out like that. If I was 27 and you could do Coventry for five years, then you could sort of see the end product for the hard work pay off. Then I'd probably look more interested in that sort of route.
But potentially, to get like, they would obviously struggle because newly promoted teams do struggle. So you have that sort of heartache every week, and when you're at the end of your career, it could be taxing.
Jeremie Frimpong
Could Frimpong Replace Salah?
Against certain teams or certain styles of play, for sure, Jeremie Frimpong will be a potential replacement for Mohamed Salah . I think to say to replace Mo is almost impossible, but I don't think you'd look at it that way.
I think, yes, to fill that position and play a certain style of football, absolutely. And you always want to look at that option first rather than just going out and spending more big money, because, like I say, he's putting in some probably better performances going forward than he has defensively. But again, against some teams, that suits you down to the ground. I think you'd definitely try and explore all those avenues before you just rush into the market.
Trent Alexader-Arnold
Liverpool's RB Shortlist
Who would be my choice to be Liverpool’s starting right-back next season? Of course you'd love to see Trent back, of course you would. But in terms of the future of Liverpool , I think as long as he comes back fit, Conor Bradley for me, as long as he can recover from that injury, obviously it's a nasty one, as long as he can get back to fitness and get gains under his belt, match fitness, confidence, and sort of kick on from his previous best, then I think you've got a fantastic right-back there.
Bradley looks more athletic, stronger, with more desire to defend, but keen to get forward in attacks as well. So I think, like you said, all round, he would be the man for me. But then again, against certain teams that are going to sit back and need to be broken down, then Jeremie Frimpong could be the answer for certain home games and things like that, you know.
England’s World Cup Right-Back?
Trent is obviously a world-class player, and he brings so much to whatever team he's in, whether it's set pieces, delivery, creativity, and also can play in a few different positions as well. But I think Reece James is probably the more all-round player. He's played left-back, he's played right-back, and he's played midfield. He's not the quickest, but I think he's very good on the ball.
He's not really going to get forward and beat players and stuff like that, but he's still got good delivery. I think again, if they're both fit in a one-off game, I think I'd go with Reece . But again, most teams are going to sit back against England, and therefore, you might be going nil-nil in the end. At the end of the game, someone like Trent can obviously then score a free kick from out of nowhere.
Each player would obviously want to play every minute of every game, but it's a good problem for the manager to have. If you're playing a so-called weaker team that wants to sit back, then maybe Trent's the answer. If you're under pressure and playing against a big dog, then Reece is probably your answer.
Ben White
White To Liverpool?
Is Ben White a player who would make Liverpool stronger? Obviously, the worrying sign would be that Ben White isn’t willing to fight for that England spot. So you either don't think you're good enough or you haven't got the desire to fight for it.
So either one of those is kind of worrying. But look, he's been in fine form for Arsenal when called upon, and obviously, they're flying this season. So he's definitely got some ability. The question would be, will he be able to handle the pressure of playing with a club like Liverpool ? That's a club that lumps on pressure more than any other club.
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