Andy Robertson’s Liverpool career will be remembered for trophies, relentless running and a remarkable rise from the lower reaches of Scottish football to the summit of the European game. Yet one decision involving £750,000 could have rewritten the entire story.
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Speaking on Stick To Football, Robertson revealed that Everton attempted to sign him from Dundee United in January 2014, when Roberto Martinez was in charge at Goodison Park.
Robertson recalled: “In January, I nearly left. Everton put a bid in for me in the January. Roberto Martinez came up and actually watched me for Dundee United.
“They wanted to loan me back for six months and then be back-up to Leighton Baines, and then try and be the guy that kinda [becomes first-choice]. That was their plan.”
It is one of those football stories which becomes increasingly extraordinary with time.
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Everton Had Robertson Succession Plan
Everton’s thinking was logical. Leighton Baines was established as one of the Premier League’s outstanding left-backs and Robertson was an emerging 19-year-old with Dundee United.
There was no guarantee Robertson would become an elite player. Everton were effectively attempting to purchase potential and provide themselves with Baines’ eventual successor.
The problem was the price.
Robertson explained: “I think they bid £750,000. Dundee United, at that point, wanted £1.5m. The manager was kinda saying, ‘I’m not losing him.’
“To be fair, it was a good decision from Dundee United, because they ended up getting £2.85m in the summer, so they ended up getting a bit more.”
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That decision proved significant for everybody involved.
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Liverpool Eventually Found Their Bargain
Hull City ultimately became Robertson’s route into English football, before Liverpool signed him for an initial £8m in 2017.
Few transfers of the modern Liverpool era provided comparable value.
Robertson became integral to Jurgen Klopp’s finest teams, winning the Champions League and two Premier League titles during nine years at Anfield. His energy, aggression and ability to repeatedly attack from left-back helped define Liverpool’s football during their most successful period in decades.
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His partnership with Trent Alexander-Arnold transformed expectations around Liverpool’s full-backs. Both became major creative weapons, providing width and service while Liverpool’s forwards occupied central areas.
For £8m, Robertson became one of Liverpool’s great recruitment successes.
£750,000 Decision Changed Robertson’s Career
Football careers are littered with moments that appear insignificant until viewed years later.
Everton bidding £750,000 rather than meeting Dundee United’s valuation belongs firmly in that category.
Had the move happened, Robertson would have entered a pathway designed around eventually replacing Baines. Perhaps he would have flourished at Goodison Park. Perhaps his career would have developed completely differently.
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Nobody can know.
What we do know is that Dundee United’s refusal eventually sent Robertson towards Hull, Liverpool and a trophy laden career at Anfield.
Sometimes football history turns on enormous transfer deals. Sometimes it turns on £750,000 not being enough.
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From a Liverpool supporter’s perspective, this is one of those stories that makes you wonder how many great eras depend upon tiny decisions nobody notices at the time.
Robertson joining Everton would have changed far more than the colour of his shirt. Liverpool’s left side during the Klopp years depended enormously on his energy, overlapping runs and understanding with the players around him. Finding another left-back capable of delivering that level of intensity and consistency would have been difficult.
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There is something fitting about the route Robertson eventually took.
Nothing arrived easily. Celtic released him as a youngster, Queen’s Park gave him his opportunity, Dundee United provided the platform, Hull brought him to England and Liverpool eventually recognised what he could become.
Even the £8m Liverpool paid now feels almost absurd when measured against his contribution.
Supporters understandably remember the famous nights, Barcelona at Anfield, Madrid in 2019 and the title winning campaigns. This revelation adds another fascinating detail to the story.
Everton had the opportunity first.
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Dundee United wanted more money, Hull eventually paid it and Liverpool later received the benefit.
For Reds supporters, £750,000 might suddenly feel like one of the most important bids Everton never managed to complete.
