Tottenham Hotspur are making waves in the January transfer window, and the latest development could prove to be one of the most significant moves of the season. With reports surfacing on January 23, 2026, that talks are advancing between Spurs and Liverpool over the transfer of left-back Andy Robertson, the North London club is signaling its intent to address a glaring need in defense while adding a player with a winning pedigree. The pursuit of Robertson, a two-time Premier League champion and Champions League winner, is not just about plugging a gap—it's about injecting experience, leadership, and a winning mentality into a squad that has often lacked those very qualities.
For nearly a decade, Andy Robertson has been a fixture at Anfield. Signed from Hull City in 2017 for a modest £8 million, he quickly became a mainstay under Jurgen Klopp, renowned for his relentless energy, pinpoint crosses, and unwavering commitment. Robertson’s legacy at Liverpool is etched in numbers: 363 appearances, 12 goals, and a remarkable 68 assists. But football, as ever, is a game of cycles. The summer arrival of Milos Kerkez for £40 million shifted the landscape, relegating Robertson to just four Premier League starts and 21 appearances across all competitions this season. The writing was on the wall, but there’s no drama—just mutual respect and a pragmatic approach from both club and player.
"It’s a difficult question to answer. I’ve got five months left and we need to see the option to stay or if there’s options to go," Robertson reflected recently, highlighting the personal and professional crossroads he now faces. "I need to see what myself and my family want moving forward. I’ve given absolutely everything for the club for the last eight and a half years and the club have been very good to me. They have rewarded me with good contracts when I have been playing well. My relationship with the people higher up in the club has always been excellent since the day I came in. Signing me for £8m and then doing what I have done helps that – I remind people of that all the time! The relationship is good and it’s not quite ‘what do they need to show me and what do I need to show them’ as we’ve shown each other more than enough respect over the last eight and a half years and we’ll see what comes."
Tottenham’s interest in Robertson is as much about their own needs as it is about the player’s desire for regular football. The club has been beset by defensive injuries—Destiny Udogie has been limited to just 10 league appearances, Ben Davies is out for surgery, and others like Djed Spence, Archie Gray, and Micky van de Ven have been forced to play out of position. The result? A backline that’s functional at best, but sorely lacking in experience and composure. New manager Thomas Frank, who took over last summer, has inherited a squad full of potential but short on leaders who know what it takes to navigate the business end of a season, especially in the high-pressure cauldron of the Premier League and Champions League.
Robertson, at 31, may not be the explosive force of 2019, but his tactical intelligence, positional awareness, and competitive fire remain undiminished. He’s exactly the kind of player who can steady the ship, raise standards in training, and serve as a role model for Spurs’ younger defenders. As one report put it, "Robertson brings that. Two Premier League titles. A Champions League medal. Nearly 400 appearances for Liverpool. He understands elite standards. He knows how dressing rooms operate under pressure. He knows what ‘normal’ looks like at the top." For Tottenham, that sort of leadership isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity.
The negotiations themselves have been described as amicable and respectful, a testament to the relationship between Robertson and Liverpool. There’s no brinkmanship here, no public acrimony. Both sides understand what’s at stake and what they owe each other. Liverpool, ever the forward-thinking club, have already planned for life after Robertson. Kostas Tsimikas, currently on loan at Roma, could be recalled to provide cover for Kerkez, especially with Conor Bradley sidelined for the season. The Reds’ approach is clear: honor the past, prepare for the future, and ensure a smooth transition.
For Robertson, the move is about more than just minutes on the pitch. With the 2026 World Cup looming, where he is set to captain Scotland, regular football is crucial. Momentum and rhythm matter, especially for a player whose entire career has been built on consistency and drive. Sitting on the bench doesn’t suit him. "I think Jurgen Klopp left me out of one game and I was raging so I’m a player who wants to play," Robertson admitted. "I’ve played through injuries, I’ve played when I’ve only been 50, 40, 30 per cent fit for this club and my country. I do have a different role here this season which I’m getting enjoyment out of but at the end of the day, footballers want to play, and if anyone is sat happy on the bench then they don’t belong at any football club. That’s always my argument, you should always want to push to be in the team. Maybe I’ve not played as much as I would have liked but it’s nothing I’ve been surprised by. Let’s see what happens."
Tottenham’s January window has already seen the arrivals of Conor Gallagher and Brazilian full-back Souza, moves designed to reinforce a squad that’s been stretched thin by injuries and fixture congestion. The club is also facing the possible departure of Radu Dragusin, with AC Milan making contact on January 23. The addition of Robertson would not only address a pressing defensive need but also send a message to the rest of the league: Spurs are serious about competing on multiple fronts and are willing to invest in proven winners to do so.
Meanwhile, the club’s midfield has also been hit by injuries, with Lucas Bergvall suffering an ankle injury during the Champions League victory over Borussia Dortmund on January 21. Manager Thomas Frank confirmed that Bergvall is set for a spell on the sidelines, and the club is assessing whether to dip back into the market for a replacement before the window closes in under two weeks. Gallagher’s arrival offers some cover, but with the Dane under pressure to deliver results, further reinforcements can’t be ruled out.
As the January window ticks down, all eyes are on Tottenham and Liverpool as they negotiate one of the most intriguing moves of the season. Robertson’s potential switch to North London would represent a new chapter for both club and player: a chance for Spurs to add the steel and savvy they’ve been missing, and for Robertson to reclaim a central role as he prepares for one last hurrah on the international stage. For now, talks continue, but the sense is clear—change is coming, and it could reshape the ambitions of both Tottenham and Liverpool in the months ahead.