Andy Robertson almost joined Stoke City before signing for Liverpool – but was unsure if he could displace Erik Pieters in the Potters’ first XI.

Robertson left Hull City following their relegation from the Premier League in the summer of 2017. The Scotland international has since grown into one of the best left-backs playing in the top flight and one of Jurgen Klopp’s most important players.

During his time in charge at Stoke, Mark Hughes was keen to snap up the defender. Robertson however was unsure whether he would be left playing second fiddle to Dutchman Pieters, Stoke’s first-choice left-back at the time.

"Stoke were quite interested in me," Robertson said in an interview with YouTube channel Open Goal.

"Mark Hughes had liked me and I think there was a wee bit of chat with them.

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"So I was thinking they were a really good option; I think they finished top 10 that season and I was trying to get my head on a move to Stoke.

"I was thinking they were really keen, and at that point, under Mark Hughes, they were playing good football. They had Erik Pieters; I wasn't sure if I was going in as back-up to him as he was flying that season."