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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Ben Husband

Andy Robertson banned for Liverpool vs Chelsea after Leeds match postponed

Liverpool are facing up to the prospect of taking on Chelsea without Andy Robertson, with his Premier League suspension set to stretch until the new year.

Robertson was handed a three-match ban after he was dismissed for a reckless tackle during the controversial draw with Tottenham last weekend.

The Scotland captain was sent off in the second half, having been the victim of a horror challenge from Harry Kane in the opening 45.

“I was brought up to take responsibility when you’ve done something wrong and I have to admit my challenge was poor and misjudged,” Robertson said after the dramatic 2-2 draw in north London.

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“Probably best I don’t speak about other things in the match. Other than to say how proud I am of the rest of the team.”

The full-back missed the first of three games on Wednesday night, when Jurgen Klopp’s much-changed squad enjoyed a brilliant comeback victory over Leicester City.

Trailing by two goals with 20 minutes to go, Diogo Jota and an injury-time Takumi Minamino strike sent the game to penalties, with the former Wolves striker scoring the decisive spot kick.

Robertson was then due to miss the Premier League encounters with Leeds United and a rematch against Leicester City, before returning on January 2 against the Blues.

However, with Liverpool ’s Boxing Day clash with Leeds now postponed, the Scot is now ruled out of the top of the table clash.

On Thursday, the Premier League confirmed that Liverpool vs Leeds was one of two Boxing Day matches to be cancelled, with Leeds lodging a request following a Covid-19 outbreak.

"Following postponement requests from Leeds United and Watford as a result of COVID-19, the Premier League Board met this morning and regrettably agreed to call off the two affected clubs’ Boxing Day fixtures,” the statement reads.

"The two matches are Wolverhampton Wanderers v Watford and Liverpool v Leeds United, both due to be played on Sunday at 12:30 GMT.

Kostas Tsimikas is now set to play against Chelsea on January 2 (AFP via Getty Images)

"The Board concluded that Leeds United will not be able to fulfil their fixture this weekend due to the number of players with COVID-19, injuries and illness.

“The club’s training ground has also been closed after consultation with the UK Health Security Agency and the Premier League.”

Robertson’s extended break now means Kostas Tsimikas is in line to play against Chelsea, where he will be tasked with containing the likes of Reece James and Mason Mount down that side.

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