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Robertson has come in for scrutiny at Liverpool this season (Photo by Richard Martin-Roberts - CameraSport/CameraSport via Getty Images)

In an attempt to play down the ongoing speculation, Andy Robertson deliberately exaggerated the prospect of Liverpool signing a player in his position this summer, claiming: "I think we've been linked with pretty much every left-back in the world."

Robertson, who was on Scotland duty at the time, followed that up by adding: "That comes with playing with one of the greatest clubs in the world.

I think I've had a relatively good season but one thing people will say about me is that's I've been pretty consistent, so when you make a couple of mistakes, then people can talk.

"That's the world we live in, that's the Premier League.

Still only 31, the fact that Robertson has played 29 of 31 games for a side who are on the cusp of winning the Premier League title suggests his theory is a solid one.

But for all the positives that Robertson, now a legendary figure at Anfield, can point towards as proof that he is not on the wane, the examples of a player who is starting to feel the effects of a long, hard career at the elite level have become more frequent this year under Arne Slot.

It was earlier this season when his agency, PLG Group, posted a congratulatory message on social media as Robertson marked his 600th game.

The Scotland international's friendly rivalry with opposite full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold was one of the key facets of the Klopp era at its peak, but having contributed 63 assists in his first six seasons as a Reds player, he has just three since the start of the 23/24 term and none in the Premier League under Slot.

Much of that might be down to the reimagining of the full-back roles under Slot, with the Dutchman preferring a more orthodox approach from those who operate there, but there is little doubt that Robertson's potency as an attacking force has diminished.

His top speed has steadily declined year on year since the Reds won the Premier League title five years ago.

The number of 148 needs 40 more in the final seven matches to eclipse what is the lowest figure of any full term to date as a regular.

The figures supplied by Fbref don't reveal anything majorly untoward in the general performances of Robertson but the number of blocks (nine) is way down on the average of 28 per-season at Anfield, although his interceptions (20) are at the highest they have been since 21/22.

The data behind the performances does not produce irrefutable evidence of a player in permanent decline but coupled with the more obvious individual mistakes, links to other players, as Robertson has clearly seen, have been inevitable.

Robertson, though, will rightly point to being part of a Liverpool backline that has kept the most clean sheets of 13, alongside Nottingham Forest at present, as a key reason for why he can still contribute significantly.

"But I will always try to keep working, keep improving, “I have tried to do that and hopefully I have shown that."

It's why links for 21-year-old Milos Kerkez have rarely disappeared since they emerged earlier this season and with Richard Hughes, Liverpool's sporting director, holding knowledge of the Hungary international's salient contract details at the Vitality, it would be no surprise if the Reds began future-proofing for the left-back position by trying to bring him in this summer.

At 31, Robertson is not ready to shuffle off the mortal coil at Anfield just yet but the addition of someone who would provide him with his most intense competition yet at the club would be no bad thing with a little over a year left on his deal.

A season spent under the learning tree of a player who has been one of Europe's best during his time at Anfield would be no bad thing for Kerkez and the opportunity to hand over the reins gently would be an ideal way for Robertson to cede his place as first choice.

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A staggered changing of the guard will allow Robertson to enjoy the sort of legendary send-off that so few get to experience at Anfield.