Former Liverpool player Paul Konchesky has opened up about his challenges at Anfield and believes he has the perfect heir for Andy Robertson.
For much of the Premier League era, left-back has been a troublesome position for the Reds. Before Robertson’s arrival in 2017, only John Arne Riise and Fabio Aurelio stood out as memorable options. However, he has solved that issue over the past eight years, winning every major trophy with Liverpool, making 332 appearances, scoring 11 goals, and providing 66 assists—cementing his place as a modern Anfield legend.
Despite his immense contribution, the Scotsman has struggled for consistency this season following an injury-hit 2023/24 campaign and has just over a year left on his contract. While he remains Liverpool’s first-choice left-back under Arne Slot, the club is beginning to consider long-term replacements.
Konchesky struggled to make an impact during his brief spell at Anfield after joining from Fulham in 2010 for £3.5 million ($4.4M). However, he has now tipped Fulham’s Antonee Robinson as the ideal successor to Robertson.
In an interview with the Liverpool Echo, Konchesky said: “It’s been tough, Robertson has achieved so much for Liverpool. He was scoring and assisting goals with him and Trent Alexander-Arnold getting more than anyone else year after year. It was fantastic to watch. But this year, he’s not gotten back to his best.
“He had injuries last year and we’re not seeing the Andy Robertson that we are used to. Arne Slot’s chopping and changing there in that position and fair play to the manager, I think that decision has been coming off. He uses his players really well and that’s why they’re flying in the league. I’ve really liked Robinson from Fulham. I’ve been to see him a few times.
“Obviously I’m an ex-Fulham player and get invited back, and when I see him, every time I see it, he’s been fantastic. I think he would suit Liverpool. I think the way Liverpool play and he attacks like a winger, a lot like the team at Liverpool already, especially last season and this season.
“I think he’s like for like, if they were to sign Robinson to replace Robertson. I think his technical ability, his crossing and his assists this season, it has been something that has really caught the eye for a lot of people. He’d be a great signing if he was to leave Fulham.”
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Konchesky joined Liverpool from Fulham on transfer deadline day in 2010, following manager Roy Hodgson. However, his time at Anfield was short-lived, making just 18 appearances before being loaned to Nottingham Forest. After Hodgson’s dismissal, Konchesky never played for Liverpool again, marking a disappointing stint at the club.
Although Konchesky’s time at Anfield didn’t pan out as hoped, joining Liverpool was still a dream come true for him. As deadline day approached, he feared the move might not materialize. The 43-year-old added: “I got told (of Liverpool’s interest) roughly, probably three weeks before it happened. Obviously Roy went and it took ages for me to get there because I think Fulham were umming and ahhing over whether to let me go.
“So it was waiting for them to try and sign someone to let me go, so that was what took so long. And I think it was the last couple of days of the transfer window that Fulham signed someone and allowed me to go up to Liverpool and speak to them. I ended up going on deadline day. I went up the day before just in case it was allowed to happen. There was only two days before that I was up there. I had to have a medical and agree terms before I could go, but I was fearful that it might not happen or might not get done in time.
“When the new manager came in, Mark Hughes, he was desperate for me to stay, but wanted a left back before I would be allowed to leave the building. And I think Fulham at the time didn’t really have anyone on their radar. It was something I wanted to happen, to go and play for one of the biggest clubs in the world with the history of Liverpool and at 29 years old, it was probably a dream come true going to play for a massive club.”
