Liverpool will be missing Andy Robertson for all three fixtures on their pre-season tour in the United States as he continues his recovery from an injury. Despite traveling with the squad, Robertson, the left-back who suffered an ankle injury during the Euros, will not participate in any of the matches. He will dedicate the next two weeks to rehabilitation.
Arne Slot, Liverpool’s newly appointed head coach, addressed Robertson’s condition ahead of the team’s upcoming match against Real Betis in Pittsburgh. Slot revealed that Robertson is still not fully recovered and is unlikely to be match-ready until after the tour concludes. Robertson sustained a minor injury during the Euros and has been working on his recovery since then.
Liverpool’s pre-season tour will also see them face Arsenal in Philadelphia and Manchester United in South Carolina, with these matches scheduled within a span of just four days. Robertson’s absence from these games poses a significant challenge, as the team will be without one of their key players.
There is hope that Robertson may be available for Liverpool’s final pre-season fixture against Sevilla at Anfield on August 11. Slot has expressed his desire to have a fully fit squad by that time, indicating that the final pre-season match is crucial for both the team’s preparation and for Slot to gauge the fitness of his players.
Robertson’s absence is part of a broader set of challenges facing Slot during his first pre-season with Liverpool. The team has been affected by the participation of several players in Euro 2024 and Copa America, which has limited Slot’s ability to work with his full squad. The pre-season period is critical for a new manager like Slot to implement his strategies and systems, and the absence of key players like Robertson could potentially impact Liverpool’s preparation and performance leading into the 2024/25 season.
Fans of Liverpool will need to exercise patience as Slot navigates these early challenges. The missing players and the adjustments required to accommodate their absence could influence Liverpool’s start to the new campaign, making the pre-season a particularly pivotal time for the team and their new head coach.