Andy Roberton said he would not tell other people how to feel about Trent Alexander-Arnold‘s impending exit but threw his support behind his Liverpool teammate.
Alexander-Arnold confirmed he will leave Liverpool at the end of the season last week, and made his first appearance since the announcement as he came off the bench during the second half of Liverpool’s 2-2 draw with Arsenal on Sunday.
The England international’s introduction was greeted by boos from thousands of supporters inside Anfield, prompting Reds legend Jamie Carragher to say he felt that the reception was wrong.
Robertson stopped short of denouncing Liverpool’s supporters, but spoke glowingly of his fellow full-back. “There’s a lot of emotion around it,” Robertson told Sky Sports.
“I think it’s crucial in these moments that I don’t tell you how to feel and you don’t tell me how to feel — but I can tell you how I feel, and that’s disappointed to lose my best mate in the game.
“We’ve done it all together. He’s an amazing player and an amazing person. He’s made me a better player, and that’s from the bottom of my heart. He’s taken me to levels that I never new existed. He has pushed me through the good years and he’s made a choice.. His legacy at this club is there for everybody to see, the trophies he’s won, and the moments he’s had in history will always be there.
“Of course it’s an emotional decision and it’s not been an easy one but he’s made it. It was not nice to see him get booed but you can’t tell people how to act. But I can tell you how I feel about it: I’m extremely proud of him and what he’s done for this club.
“I love him as a friend, and I love him as a player, and he’ll be missed as one of my best friends in the game. That’s how I feel about it and I’m not going to tell anyone else how to feel about it.”
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Alexander-Arnold was waiting by the players’ tunnel at half-time to congratulate Robertson on the Scot’s first Premier League assist of the season, after his cross was headed past David Raya by Cody Gakpo.
“We’re always delighted for each other with assists and contributing, it has been a huge part of our game for the eight years that we have played together,” Robertson added.
“When he came up at half-time I could see his big smile, and we’re always looking for each other and it was nice to see him coming up to me for once!”