Andy Robertson is set to be sidelined for around three months as the Liverpool left-back prepares to undergo shoulder surgery.
The Scotland captain was hurt in last week’s Euro 2024 qualifying defeat to Spain following a challenge with goalkeeper Unai Simon.
Robertson, who dislocated his right shoulder, returned to Liverpool to discuss the best course of action with club medical staff and specialists.
Without surgery, he could have been back playing within four weeks but that would have carried a significant risk of it happening again.
Instead, it was felt that the most sensible and responsible decision was for him to have an operation which will lead to around 10 to 12 weeks out. The surgery is expected to take place early next week.
It means Robertson is unlikely to play again until 2024 and will be missing for crunch Premier League matches against Manchester City, Manchester United and Arsenal.
The 29-year-old, who has been ever-present in the Premier League so far this season, has clocked up 275 appearances for Liverpool since his £8million (now $9.7m) move from Hull City in 2017 and this will be the longest absence of his Anfield career.
Greece international Kostas Tsimikas is set to deputise at left-back — starting with Saturday’s Merseyside derby.
Other options for Klopp in that department over the coming months include youngsters Luke Chambers and Calum Scanlon. Chambers left the England Under-19s squad last week after turning his ankle, but Scanlon has trained with Klopp’s squad this week.
The Scotland captain was hurt in last week’s Euro 2024 qualifying defeat to Spain following a challenge with goalkeeper Unai Simon.
Robertson, who dislocated his right shoulder, returned to Liverpool to discuss the best course of action with club medical staff and specialists.
Without surgery, he could have been back playing within four weeks but that would have carried a significant risk of it happening again.
Instead, it was felt that the most sensible and responsible decision was for him to have an operation which will lead to around 10 to 12 weeks out. The surgery is expected to take place early next week.
It means Robertson is unlikely to play again until 2024 and will be missing for crunch Premier League matches against Manchester City, Manchester United and Arsenal.
The 29-year-old, who has been ever-present in the Premier League so far this season, has clocked up 275 appearances for Liverpool since his £8million (now $9.7m) move from Hull City in 2017 and this will be the longest absence of his Anfield career.
Greece international Kostas Tsimikas is set to deputise at left-back — starting with Saturday’s Merseyside derby.
Other options for Klopp in that department over the coming months include youngsters Luke Chambers and Calum Scanlon. Chambers left the England Under-19s squad last week after turning his ankle, but Scanlon has trained with Klopp’s squad this week.
