The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Klopp hails Robertson’s ‘incredible journey’
Jurgen Klopp has hailed Andy Robertson’s “incredible personal journey” after signing the former Dundee United defender from Hull.
Scotland international Robertson, 23, has gone from a supermarket job and part-time football with Queen’s Park to a Champions League side in the space of four years after joining the Reds in a deal worth around £8 million.
He now has a chance to establish himself as the answer to a problem position at Anfield, which was filled for the majority of last season by converted midfielder James Milner.
Robertson’s route to the top has not been lost on Klopp, whose net outlay on the deal is negligible after midfielder Kevin Stewart moved in the opposite direction for a similar fee.
“For Andrew this is another big step on what has been a quite incredible personal journey in a very short space of time,” he told Liverpoolfc.com.
“I love his story; where he has come from professionally to reach this point.
“When you speak to him it is clear why he makes his progress. He has a burning love for playing football – he really loves the game.
“His attitude is outstanding – absolutely outstanding. His talent and skills – also very, very good.
“He has experience of this competition, the Premier League, and he has the mentality and quality to get even better.
“I know our environment will benefit him and help him push himself even more than he has already.
“This is a player who does not limit his ambition, I think.”
Robertson spent just one season at United under Jackie McNamara, making 46 appearances and scoring five goals as he helped the Tannadice side reach the 2014 Scottish Cup final.
He left for Hull in a £2.85m deal two months after the Hampden loss to St Johnstone.
Robertson, who will wear the number 26 at Anfield, has won 15 caps for his country and scored his only international goal in a 3-1 friendly defeat by Roy Hodgson’s England in 2014.
He joins Mohamed Salah and Dominic Solanke as summer additions to Klopp’s squad.
Burnley made the early running for Robertson after Hull’s relegation from the Premier League but no deal was forthcoming, opening the door for Liverpool.
The 23-year-old told Liverpoolfc.com: “It feels a wee bit surreal just now. Obviously I’m delighted. There’s been a lot of speculation over the last couple of weeks but I’m glad that the deal’s finally been done and I’m a Liverpool player.
“My family are proud of what I’ve achieved so far and they’re all over the moon with the move, as well as me of course. We’re all just looking forward to being part of the Liverpool family now.
“There’s not many, if any, more special clubs than Liverpool. When you grow up as a kid you dream of playing with big clubs such as Liverpool and to make that a reality is a dream come true for me.
“I just want to prove to people that I can do it at this level, and hopefully I manage to do that this season and go on to do good things for this club.”
Announcing his departure, Hull said: “Everybody at the club would like to thank Andy for his efforts in a black and amber shirt, and wish him well for the future.”