Liverpool just cannot seem to catch a break on the defensive injury front, as they have been dealt an early blow with the news that Andy Robertson will spend some weeks on the sidelines with an ankle injury sustained in pre-season.
The former Hull City defender had to be taken off just before half time against Athletic Bilbao and was later seen on crutches with his foot in a boot, although he issued a relief-inducing update on social media, claiming that the issue was "nothing too major".
However, manager Jurgen Klopp is unsure whether Robertson will be fit to play before September's international break, with the left-back confirming that he has sustained ligament damage and will need ample time to recover.
As a result, Robertson is sure to miss this weekend's Premier League opener with Norwich City, but thankfully for Klopp, Kostas Tsimikas has overcome last season's injury woes to become a shining light of Liverpool's pre-season.
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Tsimikas is expected to get the nod in the Reds' defence - which has since welcomed back Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip - although the versatile James Milner can fill in if required.
Robertson is also due to sit out Liverpool's August 21 meeting with Burnley - a team he boasts one of his five Premier League goals against - while he also set up two of Liverpool's three goals in a 3-0 win over the Clarets in May 2021.
Liverpool's final league game before the international break is that one that Klopp will be desperate to have Robertson back for, though, as the Reds will welcome Chelsea to Anfield on August 28 before international football takes precedence.
By this point, Robertson should be on the verge of a comeback and may be deemed ready for Scotland's World Cup qualifiers with Denmark, Moldova and Austria, but Klopp will certainly not want to see the 27-year-old risked unnecessarily.
Should Robertson's recovery go according to plan, Liverpool should have him back in time for the trip to Leeds United on September 12, or failing that, the visit of Crystal Palace six days later.
Earliest possible return date: August 28 (vs. Chelsea)
Ben Knapton
