Andy Robertson is a major doubt for the start of the new Premier League season after being withdrawn shortly before half time of Liverpool‘s friendly against Athletic Club.
After falling awkwardly on his ankle while challenging Alex Berenguer for the ball, the left-back was assisted off the pitch by medical staff. The Scotsman was able to walk despite a stretcher initially being called, but he appeared to be in significant pain as he headed for the tunnel.
The Reds will play another friendly against Osasuna on Monday evening before beginning their 2021-22 campaign away to newly promoted Norwich City on Saturday.
Jurgen Klopp will never know how his side’s title defence might have panned out last term had his squad not been decimated by injury, with Virgil van Dijk missing the majority of the season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament and fellow centre-back Joe Gomez suffering a serious knee injury.
Joel Matip, Jordan Henderson and Diogo Jota also faced long spells on the sidelines and over the course of the campaign, 23 players missed at least one match through injury or illness.
While Liverpool will have been hoping for better luck this time around, they will now be facing an anxious wait to determine the severity of Robertson’s setback.
Andy Robertson has to be helped off injured. Gingerly walking on an ankle problem pic.twitter.com/gJyJCqT8uh
— Carl Markham (@carlmarkham) August 8, 2021
Should the 27-year-old be ruled out of the trip to Carrow Road and beyond, Kostas Tsimikas – who made just seven appearances in his debut season at Anfield – is likely to start in his place.
“I always give my best to be close to the team,” Tsimikas said in pre-season. “And whenever my coach gives me the opportunity to play, I’m always ready for that. Any opportunity, I’m ready.”
from Football – inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/3iw9SRJ
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