The remarkable tale of Andy Robertson’s Liverpool adventures could easily be given the title: The King and I.
Taken under the wing of none other than Sir Kenny Dalglish on his arrival in the city three years ago, the Scotland captain owes the legend known as ‘King Kenny’ a debt of gratitude for helping ease him into life at Anfield.
After a brief settling-in period, Robertson duly embarked upon an incredible journey that saw him follow in Dalglish’s famous footsteps as Jurgen Klopp’s side conquered Europe, later adding the European Super Cup and the Club World Cup to the Champions League won in 2019.
Andy Robertson revealed the huge help Kenny Dalglish has been during his time at Liverpool
Yet it took watching the raw emotion on the face of the Kop idol last month as Liverpool were crowned champions of England for the first time since 1990 for Robertson to fully realise the enormity of what his team had just achieved.
Dalglish welling up on BT Sport was followed by tears from Klopp and team captain Jordan Henderson on an emotional night on Merseyside.
For Robertson, the challenge now is to keep the trophies coming, just like in Dalglish’s own hallowed heyday.
Former Reds player and manager Dalglish has been someone for Robertson to turn to
‘For The King to be emotional means we’ve done something pretty well,’ smiled Robertson. ‘He was brought up as a player and a manager here and he was used to success — winning league titles and the Champions League year-in and year-out.
‘For this club to go 30 years without winning the league was something we had to change. That’s why people were more emotional than usual. We had quite a few wet eyes in the small party we had (after Manchester City’s loss at Chelsea confirmed the Anfield title triumph on June 25).
‘When you play for Liverpool, winning just means so much. I’m hopeful we won’t have to wait 30 years for the next one. Hopefully, winning the league will become normal again for Liverpool.’
After arriving from Hull City in an £8million deal in July 2017, the former Queen’s Park and Dundee United left-back was personally greeted by Dalglish at Liverpool’s training ground.
There began a friendship with a man who had been idolised by Robertson’s father and grandfather. Those three older men would come together to toast the exploits of Robertson and his team after Liverpool’s incredible Champions League semi-final comeback win over Barcelona last season.
Left back Robertson has been a key member of Liverpool’s trophy-winning juggernaut
After losing 3-0 in the Nou Camp, Klopp’s side triumphed 4-0 at Anfield to progress to the final against Tottenham, which they won 2-0 in Madrid.
‘From the moment I signed, Sir Kenny has been different class,’ Robertson told Kris Boyd and Robert Snodgrass on The Lockdown Tactics podcast.
‘Him and his wife, Marina, have been exceptional with me and my family, whether it was settling into our house or getting anything we needed.
‘You know a legend like that doesn’t need to be like that as he has enough on his plate. But he has been so crucial for me.
‘I’ve spoken to him about Liverpool and I’ve spoken to him about Scotland and he has been someone I’ve been able to turn to. Not many people can say they can turn to Kenny Dalglish for advice.
Robertson admits that 69-year-old Dalglish was both his dad’s and grandad’s hero in the past
‘Kenny was my dad and grandad’s hero and I remember when we beat Barcelona in the Champions League, my dad and grandad were at the game. He came into the box to say hi to my grandad. He is 89 and that was something he’ll never forget.
‘He was having a red wine with my grandad and that’s something we will never forget. For a family like us, it was quite emotional.
‘These are things he doesn’t need to do but goes out of his way to do. That’s the difference with him. And I’ve tried to help him as well. When he got coronavirus (in April), I think everyone was worried, me as well.
‘Kenny got through it fine but, at that moment, that’s maybe when it turned and I was willing to do anything for him and his family just as he’d done for me since I arrived at Liverpool.’
Let go by Celtic as a teenager, Robertson has often spoken about returning to Parkhead to represent the team he grew up supporting.
But so content is he with his lot at Anfield that he is praying he can be a Liverpool player for life.
Celtic-fan Robertson now hopes he can be a Liverpool player for life after recent success
He said: ‘If you asked me when I was playing for Hull if I wanted to go back and play for Celtic, then I would have said that 100 per cent I wanted to play for my boyhood club.
‘But now I’ve found my home at Liverpool and I love playing for this club. If I could retire at Liverpool, then I’d bite your hand off for it now. Playing at this club is amazing. To play in front of the fans every second week at Anfield is incredible.
‘When I was younger, I wanted to play for Celtic and give my best years to Celtic. I didn’t want to be hanging on and going there at 33 or 34 when I knew my best years were gone.
‘It might be something I’ll need to think about at some stage. I still follow Celtic and they still have a place in my heart.
It would be hard to say “no” but, if I did have the option of retiring at Liverpool, I’d bite your hand off for it — and I’d probably sign the contract now.’
The Scot (L) scored a terrific header on Saturday in the league against Burnley at Anfield
The Lockdown Tactics is a brand new podcast, hosted by former Scotland stars Robert Snodgrass and Kris Boyd.
Every week, TLT will interview big names with the core focus being on mental health and wellbeing. Its chosen charity partner is The Kris Boyd Charity.
To watch the full interview with Andy Robertson, go to YouTube and the various TLT social platforms. It will be available from 4pm on Tuesday.