The names Liverpool are chasing to replace Andy Robertson… the Reds legend is seeing more and more mistakes creep into his game, writes LEWIS STEELE

A ‘Robbo’, he gallops like a gazelle down the left wing at Anfield, creating opportunities for his teammates at will and keeping the top forward relatively quiet at the other end. There is nothing new for Liverpool fans.

Except on Saturday, it wasn’t Andy Robertson but Fulham’s Antonee Robinson. Say the names quickly and make the same sounds.

The Scotland captain was sent off after 17 minutes for pulling Harry Wilson, while Robertson was forced to watch from afar as the last man returned – moments after turning his shot into his own goal – as Robinson put on a barnstorming display with two assists. Fulham, to a point.

Cottagers boss Marco Silva was effusive in his praise of the action-packed American, saying: ‘What a performance. It is difficult to express in words. He is very determined this season. He was brave, assertive and aggressive in the right way when he faced Mohamed Salah.

‘He’s had his ups and downs every time and he’s one of the best in our dressing room with the way he works and the way he plays.’

Asked whether Robinson, who captains Fulham, is the best left-back in the league with his current form, Silva added: “You’re asking a Fulham manager, but of course I’ll say yes.

‘I don’t want to talk too much about him because I know it will be the same story about Robinson in January! ‘It’s not up to me to decide whether he’s the best or not, my players are always the best!’

But it must have been difficult for the home fans to watch, as his own left-back is far from his best and has failed to reach his peak level in the last 12 months.

Social media warriors would have you believe Robertson is done at the top level, but that’s not the case. However, it is obvious that the 30-year-old football player sees mistakes reflected in his game more frequently, and left-back is a position that Liverpool will try to upgrade in the upcoming transfer window.

Robinson, 27, has provided more assists than any defender in the Premier League since the start of last season. Born in Milton Keynes, the US international – he qualified through his father – started his life at Everton but had to return to Bolton and Wigan to get back to that level.

It’s hard to find a better left-back, at least in the Premier League this season. Definitely not Robertson, Manchester City’s Josko Gvardiol has been uneasy in recent weeks, while the same can be said for Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella.

However, it is unclear whether he will be a serious target due to Liverpool’s desire to sign players in a slightly younger age range. He will be 28 when next season starts and depending on the money Fulham are willing to offer, the Reds hierarchy may look elsewhere.

A more realistic option for a left-back transfer, and a player whose name has been mentioned many times, is 21-year-old Bournemouth forward Milos Kerkez, who is good friends with compatriot and Hungary captain Dominik Szoboszlai.

Slot is believed to have shown interest in Kerkez while he was managing AZ Alkmaar in the Netherlands and later at AC Milan. Another thing to note is that Liverpool’s sporting director Richard Hughes signed the left-back to his former club Bournemouth before he left for Anfield this year.

Another possibility could be Wolves’ Rayan Ait-Nouri. The leading clubs of the Premier League will closely follow Bayern Munich’s 24-year-old Alphonso Davies as his contract expires in the summer.

None of this means Robertson’s days at Anfield are numbered. He still has a lot to give and told reporters last month that he wanted to ‘prove people wrong’ after fans questioned him about what he thought was the first time in his career.

Liverpool also have a talented assistant in Kostas Tsimikas, but the Greek international is currently injured. The elephant in any room when it comes to squad planning is whether players like Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah, who are out of contract, will remain in place.

But Robinson’s flamboyant display for Fulham has given Reds fans a reason to remember the days when their own left-back did it every week. Robertson is a Liverpool legend but he needs to bounce back after making too many mistakes in recent months.