Liverpool target that Robertson admits "ripped me apart" - and where he is now

27 January 2024 , 05:30

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Adama Traore was a huge hit at Wolves (Image: Getty Images)

Once upon a time, Adama Traore was a man who Premier League defenders feared.

The Spaniard was one of Wolves' most potent attacking weapons as they continued to cause problems for the top six sides - Liverpool among them. Traore's blend of pace and strength made him a tough proposition to stop, which Andy Robertson found out all too well.

Liverpool's left-back has been one of their best performers during the Jurgen Klopp era. He's shown himself to be as impressive in his own third as he is going forward but put Traore in the same category as Chelsea great Eden Hazard when quizzed on his toughest opponent.

He told That Peter Crouch Podcast, BBC Radio 5 Live & BBC Sounds: "When I was at Hull I played against Hazard. He ripped me apart at Stamford Bridge. Traore this season ripped me apart, to be fair."

That was during Liverpool's title-winning campaign, which saw them pushed all the way by Wolves, securing narrow victories both home and away. Traore's stock though was firmly on the rise following his move to Molineux from Middlesbrough, where he'd impressed in the Championship.

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It was during the 2019/20 campaign that he began impacting games more than he ever had. He scored a brace at the Etihad as Wolves shocked defending champions Manchester City. Traore also scored a stunner in a loss against Tottenham as his admirers continued to grow - the Reds and City among them.

Eventually, though his efforts would earn him a move to Barcelona, who landed the Spaniard on loan in January 2022 with the option to make that move permanent. Whilst at the Nou Camp he played 17 times but failed to find the net and the La Liga giants allowed him to return to Wolves.

Traore's game time in Spain decreased as time went on with questions later asked of Xavi, who was making the calls at the Nou Camp. Through his loan spell, the Barcelona boss seemed to distance himself from the prospect of a permanent transfer, which surprised some.

Adama Traore has struggled with injuries since joining Fulham

Upon his return to Wolves the winger, who has won eight caps for Spain, the last of those coming in 2011, made the majority of his appearances as a substitute. Traore had been expected to leave in the summer of 2022, but no bids were accepted by the Midlands outfit.

Former manager Bruno Lage said about his player: “I like him. What I want is to have solutions and for me to make the best decisions. I like his game. I like the way he works every day." Julen Lopetegui then came in to replace Lage and had hoped to see Traore sign a new deal with his contract expiring in the summer of 2023.

No agreement was found though and the player opted to remain in the Premier League with Fulham. Wolves had continued to fight in their effort to keep Traore, but he pursued a new challenge at Craven Cottage. Since doing so, however, the Spaniard has only featured five times and is yet to start a league game. An injury has set him back early in his Fulham career with Marco Silva unable to pick Traore in recent months amid fears his talent could go unfulfilled.

Samuel Meade