{"id":2981,"date":"2026-03-10T02:39:11","date_gmt":"2026-03-10T02:39:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news678.top\/?p=2981"},"modified":"2026-03-10T02:39:11","modified_gmt":"2026-03-10T02:39:11","slug":"big-decision-arne-slot-urged-to-drop-liverpool-star-for-champions-league-football","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news678.top\/?p=2981","title":{"rendered":"‘Big decision’ – Arne Slot urged to drop Liverpool star for Champions League | Football"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n\t\t\"Nottingham\t<\/div>
Liverpool are preparing for the Champions League knockout stages (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Arne Slot has been urged to make a \u2018big decision\u2019 by dropping a Liverpool player for the knockout stages of the Champions League.<\/p>\n

Despite producing a fairly dismal Premier League title defence \u2013 slipping to sixth in the table \u2013 Liverpool have impressed in Europe, finishing third in the Champions League group phase.<\/p>\n

The Reds won six of their eight group games and were rewarded with a winnable last-16 tie against Galatasaray.<\/p>\n

While Galatasaray boast a four-point lead at the top of the Turkish Super Lig, they finished just 20th in the Champions League, losing half of their group matches.<\/p>\n

Liverpool will therefore be expected to advance at the expense of Galatasaray, with the first leg of the last-16 tie taking place in Turkey on Tuesday night.<\/p>\n

Liverpool suffered a shock defeat to Premier League basement boys Wolves last week before returning to winning ways against the same opposition in the FA Cup.<\/p>\n

Andy Robertson starred in the recent game, scoring Liverpool\u2019s opener before setting up Mohamed Salah\u2019s goal just two minutes later.<\/p>\n

\n

\n\t\t\t\tYour football fix\t\t\t<\/h2>\n
\n

Metro<\/strong>‘s Head of Sport James Goldman delivers punchy analysis, transfer talk and his take on the week’s biggest stories direct to your inbox every week.<\/p>\n

Sign up here, it’s an open goal.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

\n
\n\t\t\"Wolverhampton\t<\/div>
Liverpool legend Andy Robertson (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Milos Kerkez has predominately played ahead of Robertson since his \u00a340m move from Bournemouth last summer but Alan Shearer and Micah Richards both believe the experienced Scot should be picked for Liverpool\u2019s Champions League games.<\/p>\n

Robertson has made over 350 appearances for Liverpool over the past decade, helping the Anfield club win two Premier League titles, the Champions League and three domestic cups.<\/p>\n

\u2018Let\u2019s\u00a0get a full-back\u2019s perspective on one of the Premier League\u2019s great full-backs, Andy Robertson,\u2019 Gary Lineker said on The Rest is Football podcast.<\/p>\n

\n
\n\t\t\"Wolverhampton\t<\/div>
Liverpool signed Milos Kerkez from Bournemouth last summer (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u2018Do you think he should have played more this season?\u00a0It\u2019s\u00a0easy to say in hindsight because they obviously spend a few bob on Milos Kerkez and he struggled a little bit. But I think\u00a0they\u2019ve\u00a0really missed Robertson.\u2019<\/p>\n

Ex-Manchester City and England defender Richards replied: \u2018I think the feeling amongst Liverpool fans was that they needed to get someone in.<\/p>\n

\u2018So\u00a0I think they\u00a0did the right thing signing Kerkez.\u00a0It\u2019s\u00a0the output that Robertson does,\u00a0he\u2019s\u00a0up and down and up and down, but\u00a0he\u2019s\u00a0in his 30s now and there was some games last season that it became\u00a0a problem.<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n
\n

\t\t\t\t\t

To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tbrowser that
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsupports HTML5
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tvideo<\/p><\/video>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\u2018So\u00a0I think it\u00a0was right to get Kerkez but I would have played Robertson more, especially in the bigger games, because of his experience and knowing that position.<\/p>\n

\u2018Kerkez was outstanding\u00a0at\u00a0Bournemouth\u00a0and we all thought he would fit in\u00a0seamlessly\u00a0but he was quite reckless and rash at the start.<\/p>\n

\u2018He\u2019s\u00a0grown into it but in the big games I would still play Robertson and if I needed more energy I would go with Kerkez.\u2019<\/p>\n

\n
\n\t\t\"UEFA\t<\/div>
Galatasaray had a mixed Champions League group phase (Picture: Getty)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Premier League record goalscorer Shearer added: \u2018He\u2019s\u00a0got a big decision to make when they play\u00a0Galatasaray\u00a0away. After Robertson\u2019s performance, Slot has a big decision to make.\u2019<\/p>\n

Richards then said: \u2018You\u2019ve\u00a0got to play Andy Robertson. Just for his knowhow and experience in such a big game. I would\u00a0definitely play\u00a0Robertson, without a\u00a0doubt.\u2019<\/p>\n

Shearer agreed with Richards, saying: \u2018That\u2019s\u00a0what I would do,\u00a0yeah.\u2019<\/p>\n

Liverpool visited Galatasaray in the group stage of the Champions League, losing 1-0 thanks to Victor Osimhen\u2019s first-half penalty.<\/p>\n

The two European giants have met five times in total, with Galatasaray winning two of those games to Liverpool\u2019s one.<\/p>\n

The winner of this last-16 tie will face either Champions League holders PSG or Club World Cup winners Chelsea in the quarter-finals.<\/p>\n

In-between their last-16 legs against Galatasaray, Liverpool will look to boost their top-four hopes against Premier League relegation-battlers Tottenham. <\/p>\n

For more stories like this,\u00a0check our sport page<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on
\nFacebook,\u00a0<\/strong>Twitter<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Instagram<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Arrow<\/title>\n<\/svg>MORE: Alan Shearer disagrees with Liam Rosenior\u2019s comments about \u2018world-class\u2019 Chelsea star<\/span><\/p>\n

Arrow<\/title>\n<\/svg>MORE: Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta slammed over January transfer decision<\/span><\/p>\n

Arrow<\/title>\n<\/svg>MORE: Rodri learns punishment after Man City star slammed referee following Tottenham draw<\/span><\/p>\n
\n\t\t\tComment now<\/title>\n<\/svg><\/span>
\n\t\t\tComments<\/span><\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tAdd Metro as a Preferred Source on Google<\/title>\n<\/svg><\/span>
\n\t\t\t\tAdd as preferred source<\/span>
\n\t\t\t<\/section>\n
\n
\n

Football Newsletter \u2013 In The Mixer<\/h4>\n

Punchy analysis, transfer talk and more from Metro’s football experts, sent straight to your inbox every week.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n