Liverpool’s much-anticipated return to the Premier League this weekend against their Merseyside rivals, Everton, is overshadowed by concerns about injuries to key players. Reds manager Jurgen Klopp faces a challenging situation after the international break, with the absence of Andy Robertson looming large due to a significant shoulder injury sustained during practice.
The injury has raised fears within the Liverpool camp that Robertson may require surgery. The left-back was injured during Scotland’s Euro 2024 qualifying match against Spain, where he collided with the home team’s goalkeeper, Unai Simon. He was immediately substituted and sent back to Merseyside for a thorough evaluation to assess the extent of the damage. As Liverpool competes on multiple fronts, they anxiously await the results of tests to determine if the 29-year-old will indeed require surgery, which could potentially sideline him for an extended period.
To compound Liverpool’s injury concerns, 17-year-old winger Ben Doak, who had recently shown promise, suffered a physical setback. He was forced to miss Scotland’s under-21 squad’s UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifier against Malta. Doak’s absence is worrisome, especially considering that he had been expected to be part of the Scotland senior team’s squad for a friendly match against France.
Klopp faces an unwelcome air of uncertainty as he prepares for the upcoming Everton match. The absence of Robertson and the ambiguity surrounding his injury, coupled with the setback faced by young talent Ben Doak, add to the manager’s worries. Klopp must now strategize to address these setbacks and maintain Liverpool’s competitive edge as they aim to contend on multiple fronts throughout the season.
