FSG has no business selling Liverpool talent for £30m

Liverpool got their revenge against Crystal Palace, extended their winning streak in the Premier League and firmly placed themselves in the running for Champions League qualification.

Don’t get me wrong, this has been a disastrous year for Liverpool and Arne Slott, but FSG are willing to step in to stop the under-fire manager from being ousted, giving him the summer transfer window to solve Liverpool’s problems.

That’s a decision that won’t please everyone. After all, the Premier League champions will not be winning a silver medal this season, and their performances and results have left a lot to be desired throughout the campaign.

The 3-1 win over the Eagles wasn’t vintage Liverpool, or even a vintage slot, but they secured a point at Anfield and moved them past Aston Villa into fourth place.

They need to improve this summer, but the departing Andy Robertson has perhaps shown he still has something to offer this team.

Andy Robertson vs Palace play

Robertson, 31, will play his last game for Liverpool in a month’s time, but his contract is due to expire in the summer and a mutual decision has been taken whether he leaves for pastures new.

Robertson arrived from Hull City in 2017 for just £8 million, but leaves as a legend with a cabinet packed with silverware and a reputation as one of the best left-backs in the division.

His goal against Palace was special, as Liverpool broke through in trademark fashion. His celebration was filled with passion and he said after the match: “That was a striker’s finish.”

The Scotland captain was kept busy against Palace’s lively attacks, but still contributed with two clearances and two defences.

Last summer, Liverpool signed Milos Kerkes. With Kostas Tsimikas returning from his loan spell at AS Roma in the coming months, it would make sense for Robertson to leave in order to get more playing time, but the same cannot be said for all of Liverpool’s potential departures this summer.

Liverpool star showed why he shouldn’t be sold

Liverpool are preparing for a major rebuild in the summer after a number of departures, led by Mohamed Salah. Like Robertson, the departure of a legendary forward is understandable, but it doesn’t make it any less painful, but it does seem like the expected departure of Curtis Jones could be prevented.

Then again, who can understand why Jones, a Liverpool fan since he was a boy, would want to leave after starting just 14 Premier League games this season?

Against Crystal Palace, the midfielder impressed again in his temporary right-back role, creating Robertson’s goal with a through ball, winning a further four duels and recovering six balls.

Dynamic and versatile, he is an invaluable addition to this Liverpool team, and is a natural technician who ranks in the top 10% of his position for pass completion, accurate long balls, successful dribbles and recoveries per 90 points.

Alexis Mac Allister had two assists against Oliver Glasner’s side, but they have been underperforming all season, lacking dynamism and physicality in the middle of the park. There are arguments that Jones should have played more games than the Argentine.

However, with Slott expected to continue as manager, Jones is likely to be set to leave in the summer. Despite interest from Tottenham and Inter Milan in January and concrete efforts being made, Slott and FSG decided it would be foolish to weaken a struggling midfield midway through the season.

But interest has not waned, with teams such as Aston Villa joining the race for the £30m-valued English star, who is entering the final year of his contract with Liverpool.

Robertson is on a roll and is nearing the end of his contract. The mutual decision for him to try his hand elsewhere is sad but understandable.

However, while Jones is at the peak of his career and may not be a player on everyone’s radar, the Scouser in Liverpool’s squad should remain next season.