The groundbreaking Liverpool and Fulham swap transfer deal which could supercharge both sides

Premier League champions Liverpool are expected to go all out to try and sign a left-back this summer, as they aim to build a team capable of going on to retain the title.

The Reds are expected to lose Trent Alexander-Arnold on a free to Real Madrid, with Conor Bradley being viewed by many as his potential successor after making 25 appearances across all competitions. Trent’s absence leaves Liverpool without one of their chief creators from the last decade, with only club legends Steven Gerrard and Mohamed Salah creating more goals for the Reds in the Premier League era.

As such, the club have been linked with Fulham left-back Antonee Robinson, who with ten assists has provided the third most in the league this season, behind only Salah and Jacob Murphy. Robinson is reported by TBR football to be Liverpool’s ideal replacement for Andrew Robertson, who has struggled to hit the heights of previous seasons this term in what appears to be a concerning decline in the Scotland international’s abilities.

Why Liverpool are interested in Antonee Robinson

Robinson has been one of the standout performers in the Premier League for a Fulham squad that has exceeded many people’s expectations. The USA international, who nearly joined AC Milan during his time at Wigan Athletic, won the Cottagers’ Player of the Season award last term and is firmly in pole position to repeat the feat again.

At the age of 27, Robinson is seen as someone in the peak of his career and he’s likely to be more affordable than other potential targets, such as Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez. Despite spending 11 years from 2008 to 2019 in the setup at Everton, Robinson is said to have grown up a Liverpool fan, which suggests he’s likely to be highly interested in a move to Anfield.

Stats wise, he’s completed more crosses into the penalty area (27) than any player in the league this season and has completed 50 passes into the penalty area which is the third highest of any player. Robinson is also an accomplished defender with 56 tackles won (the sixth most in the league) and has made 56 interceptions (the third most in the division), via fbref.

The stunning Liverpool swap deal Fulham could look to strike

Fulham have produced a reputation in recent years of rejuvenating the careers of former wonderkids. Take Ryan Sessegnon for example, a player who burst on to the scene at Craven Cottage as a teenager, before falling down the pecking order after recurring injuries at Tottenham. He returned on a free transfer and with four goals and two assists in his last seven games, he’s finally starting to blossom into a Premier League quality player.

Alex Iwobi, once an Arsenal starlet who struggled to find consistency at Everton, is also now enjoying a career best season for goal contributions with nine goals and six assists in 34 games. Emile Smith-Rowe is another example from the same academy who’s enjoyed a renaissance with six goals and two assists from 30 matches, after struggling for game time at the Emirates.

Next up in the list could prove to be Harvey Elliott who, like Sessegnon, was a product of the Fulham academy. Elliot burst onto the scene at the age of just 16 when at the time he became the youngest footballer to play in the top-flight. Fulham fans only got to see him twice in the league before he completed a move to Liverpool. The winger, turned central attacking midfielder enjoyed a sensational season-long loan spell with Blackburn in the Championship, before being slowly integrated into the Reds team by Jurgen Klopp.

Elliott made 34 league appearances during Klopp’s final season at Anfield and wasn’t a million miles away from breaking into the England squad. But his progress has stagnated under Arne Slot, who has limited him to just 14 league outings and not a single league start.

TBR Football claim that Fulham have a 20% sell on clause inserted into Elliott’s contract which could play a part in Marco Silva’s negotiations as he looks to bring a talented prospect back to the capital while also receiving a fee for Robinson. It’s a swap move which could potentially suit both players and both managers, given Elliott’s potential at 22, and Robinson’s qualities for the here and now.

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