Liverpool have encountered a significant pre-season setback with news that Andrew Robertson will be out of action for the next few weeks due to an injury sustained before Euro 2024. The Scotland captain is part of the Liverpool squad currently on a summer tour in the United States, where they are scheduled to play against Real Betis, Arsenal, and Manchester United.
However, Robertson has been ruled out of participating in any of these friendlies because of a lingering injury problem.
Manager Arne Slot confirmed upon the team’s arrival in Pittsburgh that Robertson is not yet fully fit but is expected to be ready by the end of the tour or shortly thereafter.
Slot explained, “He is not fully fit yet. But we are expecting him in the end of the tour – maybe just after the tour – to be fully fit again. He took a small injury into the Euros and afterwards he had to recover from that after playing those games. But we will expect him back after our tour – but he joined us over here.”
Robertson had been dealing with a troublesome ankle issue before Euro 2024 and was a doubt for Scotland’s opening game of the tournament against hosts Germany.
He had limped out of a training session just days earlier but managed to recover sufficiently to play almost every minute of his country’s group fixtures, although Scotland was eliminated early from the tournament.
There is hope that Robertson could be available for Liverpool’s friendly against Sevilla at Anfield on August 11, six days before the start of their Premier League campaign. Despite his recent injury woes, Robertson remains a crucial player for Liverpool, although last season saw him miss a significant number of games.
He made 30 appearances in all competitions, the lowest since his first season with Liverpool in 2017/18, largely due to a shoulder injury that kept him out for around three months during autumn and winter.
In Robertson’s absence last season, the versatile Joe Gomez was frequently the go-to option for the left-back position. Liverpool will likely rely on Gomez again if Robertson is not fully fit for the start of the new season.
The team and fans alike will be eager for Robertson’s return, as his presence on the field is vital for Liverpool’s defensive stability and overall performance.
The news of Robertson’s injury is a blow to Liverpool’s pre-season preparations, but the club remains hopeful that he will be ready to contribute early in the new campaign. His recovery and return to full fitness will be closely monitored, as his role in the squad is indispensable.
