Liverpool target reveals ambition to play in Champions League

Fulham left-back Antonee Robinson, who has been extensively linked with a summer transfer to Liverpool, admits he wants to test himself at the highest level by playing in the Champions League.

The 27-year-old has enjoyed a tremendous season in west London, performing at a consistently high level to help fire Marco Silva's side into Europa League qualification contention.

Speaking to ESPN, the United States international said he's trying to ignore the speculation over his future, with his immediate focus on helping Fulham to achieve their ambitions. But he was transparent on his own personal aims, admitting that he wants to push himself in order to test himself against the best in the game.

"I'm truly focused on just reaching the level I feel I can, which takes a lot of work off the pitch as well, trying to make sure I keep my body right, doing all the extras and training, things like that to make sure I'm on my best level," Robinson said.

"Eventually I want to perform at the highest level that I can. Whether that's playing Champions League, playing European competitions with Fulham, however I get there, I want to make sure I get there."

Liverpool are charging towards the Premier League title in Arne Slot's first season in charge, romping 15 points clear of Arsenal at the top of the table after a 3-1 comeback win over Southampton at Anfield.

But it's expected to be a summer of change at Anfield, who may yet lose Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah to free transfers as all three are out of contract. There's also been concerns over the displays of long-time left-back Andy Robertson, who has not been as consistent as he was at his peak.

Kostas Tsimikas' future at Liverpool is also uncertain, leading to speculation that Robinson and Bournemouth's Milos Kerkez could be on the Reds' shortlist of potential replacements.

Robinson is determined not to get carried away with the links, stating that he tries to ignore what's happening in the press despite receiving messages from friends and family.

"I've been in the game long enough now to kind of know you have to block out the outside noise and things like that because I've been on the end of it when I've not been playing well," Robinson remarked. "I saw criticism when I was younger, seeing people doubting me and things. So I know that there's two sides to the coin.

"You just have to take everything with a grain of salt. You have to believe in yourself and when things are going bad, focus on yourself, and when things are going good, focus on keeping going.

"So, transfer rumours and stuff like that, I try not to look at. Especially like with the Liverpool one, all my friends and family are from Liverpool, so it's more of them messaging me than me seeing newspaper stuff. And I have to say, look, it's just, just a story in the paper and anyone who's doing well is going to get linked to a team."

READ THE LATEST PREMIER LEAGUE NEWS, RUMOURS & GOSSIP