Liverpool defender Andy Robertson is to undergo shoulder surgery and will be “out for a while”, according to boss Jurgen Klopp.
Robertson injured the joint while on international duty with Scotland and Klopp says his first-choice left-back will now go under the knife.
Speaking ahead of tomorrow’s Merseyside derby with Everton, Klopp said: “The decision will go towards surgery. There was a little chance he could try without but, talking to experts, surgery will be the best thing long term. He is out for a while. We don’t know exactly how long.
“Shoulder surgery is not an easy one. You can train pretty quickly again but not football-specific, you have to be careful with challenges.”
Jürgen Klopp has confirmed Andy Robertson is set to undergo surgery on his shoulder and is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
Click for the full #LIVEVE injury update ⤵️
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) October 20, 2023
Robertson has been a mainstay of the Liverpool defence, making 203 Premier League appearances, since joining from Hull in 2017.
His absence is likely to mean Kostas Tsimikas is recalled and Klopp is a big fan of the Greece full-back.
“It’s very important to have players like that,” he added. “Thank God it’s not just Kostas we have like that. Joe Gomez can play that position, as can Luke Chambers and some of the other young boys. The young kids are really showing up in training.
“Kostas is definitely the most experienced in that position but he cannot play all the games from now on so we need other options.”
Tsimikas is set to go straight into the side tomorrow for what Klopp expects will be a difficult game against an Everton side that has shown signs of improved form over recent games.
“It is a special game, a high-pressure game,” he said. “All the players are used to this kind of game and we shouldn’t make it too big for the new players, they are ready for it.
“All the [previous derby] games were difficult for different reasons. Everton is in a good moment, for three or four weeks they’ve got results. It will be a tough one, derbies are tough, Premier League games are tough.
“Everton deserve respect. Dominic Calvert-Lewin is an important player for them, [Abdoulaye] Doucoure is back to his best, with [Jack] Harrison and [Dwight] McNeil on the wings. That is quality, real quality.
“[Amadou] Onana, [James] Garner], there is real talent; they have experience in defence and England’s number one in goal [in Jordan Pickford]. They have a really good team.”
Klopp has an outstanding record in this fixture, having lost just once in 18 Merseyside derbies, but he was quick to play down the significance of those previous meetings.
“It is uncomfortable when you tell me about my record. I couldn’t be less interested in what happened in the past,” he added.
“We aren’t thinking about this. We understand the importance of the game, the pressure. I can’t remember enjoying the thought of a derby.
“There is a lot of intensity before a ball is kicked. We have to channel that in the right areas, with all the extra motivation from outside, make sure you play the way you want. That gives you a chance to win.”
