Liverpool’s Andy Robertson out for three months after surgery on right shoulder injury

Andy Robertson, the Liverpool left-back, is set to undergo shoulder surgery and will be sidelined for approximately three months, affecting his availability for crucial Premier League matches against Manchester City, Manchester United, and Arsenal.

Robertson sustained the injury during Scotland’s Euro 2024 qualifying defeat to Spain after a clash with goalkeeper Unai Simon. He dislocated his right shoulder and returned to Liverpool to consult with the club’s medical staff and specialists.

While there was a possibility of a quicker return without surgery, it was deemed too risky, prompting the decision for Robertson to undergo the operation. The recovery period is estimated to be around 10 to 12 weeks, with the surgery scheduled for the following week.

Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool’s manager, confirmed that experts recommended surgery as the best long-term solution. While Robertson can resume training relatively quickly, he will have to be cautious in football-specific activities that involve physical challenges.

This injury will result in Robertson missing the remainder of the year and will be the longest absence he has experienced during his time at Anfield. Kostas Tsimikas, the Greece international, is expected to fill in at left-back, starting with the upcoming Merseyside derby. Joe Gomez, a center-back, also has previous experience playing in that position.

During Robertson’s absence, Klopp may consider utilizing Luke Chambers and Calum Scanlon, both young players, as alternatives. Chambers recently suffered an ankle injury while on duty with England’s Under-19 squad, but Scanlon has been training with Klopp’s squad.

Injury concerns also extend to Thiago, Stefan Bajcetic, and Ben Doak, while Cody Gakpo has recovered from a knee problem and is available for selection. Klopp mentioned that Gakpo has trained with the team once so far, and his progress will be monitored.

Analysis by Andy Jones and Thomas Harris

Kostas Tsimikas, who joined Liverpool from Olympiacos in 2020, has been a dependable backup for Robertson, making 18 Premier League starts. He is highly regarded within the team and achieved cult-hero status among fans with his winning penalty in the FA Cup final shootout against Chelsea in 2022.

Tsimikas, however, has never started more than two consecutive league games due to Robertson’s consistent form and fitness. Klopp’s concern lies in the Greek international’s lack of rhythm in his three starts across all competitions this season, despite signing a new four-year contract recently.

The change in Robertson’s role since Liverpool’s switch to the 3-4-3 system has been a topic of discussion. While it sometimes restricts his attacking instincts, Robertson has adapted well and gained confidence in the new system. He remains a solid defender but needs to be more selective in choosing when to join the attack.

Tsimikas thrived in Klopp’s traditional 4-3-3 formation, which relied on full-backs providing creativity. However, the 3-4-3 system presents different challenges for Tsimikas, as he now has greater defensive responsibilities and cannot freely venture forward.

It is still unclear whether Tsimikas can adjust his game to the extent that Robertson did. The new formation requires him to function as the third center-back when in possession, limiting his attacking freedom. It remains to be seen how he will adapt.

(Photo: George Wood/Getty Images)