The Liverpool defender Andy Robertson insists his ankle injury is “nothing too major” but ligament damage will rule him out of the Premier League opener at Norwich and potentially the first month of the season.
The Scotland international had to be helped from the pitch in the friendly with Athletic Bilbao on Sunday and further assessment has revealed a problem that will prevent his involvement this weekend.
Liverpool welcome Chelsea to Anfield at the end of August and Robertson could now be targeting that match for his return. Jürgen Klopp’s side then travel to Leeds United on 12 September which may be a more realistic date following ligament damage.
“Scan suggests nothing too major but there’s some ligament damage which will need to mend,” he wrote on Twitter. “I will be grafting every day so I can help the team again sooner rather than later.”
His injury makes it increasingly likely that Kostas Tsimikas, who managed just six Premier League minutes in his maiden campaign for the Reds last season, will make his first league start at Carrow Road although James Milner would be another option to deputise.
Speaking after Liverpool’s final pre-season friendly at Anfield against Osasuna – which they won 3-1 – Klopp said: “I think we got lucky. It could have been much worse. It will not be too long. I’m not sure if it will be before the international break or after it but, as I say, I think we got lucky.”
Roberto Firmino scored twice in the 3-1 victory with Takumi Minamino also on the scoresheet during an impressive display. One player who has been the subject of transfer speculation, Xherdan Shaqiri, was not involved. The Swiss international has been linked with a move to Lyon.
