Liverpool signed Robertson for 9 million euros in 2017 and promoted Arnold, but their 86.9 million euro replacement plan in 2025 failed.

On April 10 at early morning Beijing time, Liverpool announced another legend's departure: club confirmed 32-year-old Scottish captain Robertson will end his 9-year Reds career after contract expires this season, having won 9 trophies including 1 Champions League and 2 Premier League titles.

Liverpool spent 9 million euros in summer 2017 to sign left-back Robertson from Hull City, while simultaneously promoting youth right-back Arnold from reserves. The duo started Liverpool's 8-year golden era of flying full-backs and witnessed the club's revival. Last summer, Arnold left for Real Madrid for 10 million euros, and Robertson lost his starting position this season.

Last summer, Liverpool attempted to refresh their left and right back positions.They spent 46.9 million euros to sign new left-back Kyle Kates from Bournemouth, and 40 million euros for new right-back Frimpong from Leverkusen.However, due to the special role of left-winger "inside cutter" Gakpo, new left-back Kyle Kates, though reliable in availability, performed averagely especially lacking offensive output. Frimpong became Liverpool's new fragile player, too prone to frequent injuries. Thus, Kates+Frimpong as Liverpool's new full-backs hardly replaced Robertson+Arnold and essentially failed. New arrivals cannot replace old legends, marking the start of team's decline.

Liverpool's full-back renewal failure, combined with sharp decline of veterans Salah and Van Dijk this season, plus Slot's limited tactical ability and blind trust in Dutch compatriot Gakpo, led to Liverpool's steep performance drop, likely facing empty trophy season. Liverpool already exited League Cup and FA Cup; currently rank 5th in Premier League, only 1 point ahead of 6th-place Chelsea for Champions League spot; lost Champions League quarter-final first leg 0-2 away to Paris with zero shots, in full disadvantage.