Andrew Robertson Backs Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz to Fulfil Liverpool Potential Despite Difficult Debut Seasons

Andrew Robertson has used his final weeks at Liverpool to publicly defend the club’s two marquee signings, insisting that Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz will forge “unbelievable” careers at Anfield once they are given adequate time to settle.

The Scottish left-back, who is set to depart Anfield after nine years, made the comments as reported by The Independent, pushing back against criticism directed at the pair following a turbulent Premier League campaign that has seen Liverpool fighting for a top-five finish rather than mounting a title challenge.

Liverpool broke their transfer record twice in quick succession to assemble the duo. German midfielder Florian Wirtz arrived for £116 million, before Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak was acquired for £125 million — a fee that set a new British transfer record. Despite those extraordinary investments, neither player has delivered the sustained performances their price tags demand.

Robertson was direct in his view that the players themselves bear no responsibility for the fees attached to them. “The one thing I get annoyed about in football is that footballers do not control their price tag,” he said. “We don’t control it, the market controls it. If a team are willing to pay it or they want to sell you and they put a price tag on you — that has nothing to do with the players.”

The 32-year-old cited what he has observed in training as the basis for his confidence in both players. “These players will be successful for Liverpool,” Robertson continued. “I have seen more than enough in training and in games, and their attitude is that they will be successful. But it has shown that they probably need a little bit of time.”

Robertson also placed the underperformance of Isak and Wirtz within a broader context of collective inconsistency at the club. He acknowledged that experienced members of the squad have also fallen short of their established standards this season. “Some players who have played at a ridiculously high level, we haven’t played to that level,” he said. “If you add all that in, then we have had an inconsistent season, and that is the huge frustration for us.”

The defender was candid about the team’s inability to identify solutions during the campaign. “We have tried to search for consistency, we have tried to search for answers this season, and we have not managed to find it,” he admitted.

Liverpool’s struggles this season represent a significant departure from the sustained success the club enjoyed under Jürgen Klopp, who departed at the end of the 2023-24 season after winning the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, and League Cup during his tenure. The current campaign has also been affected by personal tragedy, with the death of forward Díogo Jota cited by players as a factor that impacted the squad’s emotional wellbeing and on-pitch performances.

Robertson’s exit, alongside that of Mohamed Salah, marks the end of a significant era at the club. Both players were central figures during Liverpool’s most successful modern period, and their simultaneous departures underscore the scale of the transition the club is currently navigating.

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaching, Wirtz — a key figure for Germany — and Isak, who represents Sweden, will have the opportunity to rebuild momentum on the international stage before returning for pre-season preparations. How quickly the pair can establish themselves as consistent performers will be central to Liverpool’s ambitions in the seasons ahead.