Scotland’s Andy Robertson has handed Jurgen Klopp a selection boost ahead of injury-hit Liverpool’s Premier League return at home to Leicester City on Sunday but Neco Williams was left on the bench for Wales.
With Joe Gomez undergoing a knee operation after rupturing his patella tendon ahead of England’s game with the Republic of Ireland last week and joining Virgil van Dijk as a long-term absentee plus Trent Alexander-Arnold expected to be sidelined for a month with a calf injury, the Reds faced the prospect of facing the Foxes without an entire first choice back four after Robertson sat out Scotland’s trip to Slovakia on Sunday due to a hamstring problem.
However, the Liverpool left-back – who captained his country to a penalty shoot-out victory in Serbia last Thursday which secured their place in the European Championship finals, their first international tournament qualification since the 1998 World Cup – was back in action last night.
Robertson played the entire match for Scotland in their 1-0 defeat in Israel – picking up a booking seven minutes into second half stoppage time – with the loss ensuring that Steve Clarke’s side missed out on UEFA Nations League promotion.
Afterwards, the Liverpool player tweeted: “Not how we wanted to end it but this has been the most significant international break in 22 years and we can be proud of what we have achieved. Well done lads.”
With the aforementioned injury to Alexander-Arnold, Liverpool will also be keeping close tabs on Neco Williams’ fitness.
He was an unused substitute for Wales’ 3-1 home win over Finland which secured their Nations League promotion with Welsh caretaker manager Robert Page confirming the decision had been made after the Reds player took a "sore" kick to his foot against the Republic of Ireland on Sunday.
Another full-back in action was Robertson’s understudy Kostas Tsimikas who played in Greece’s goalless home draw with Slovenia before being substituted a minute into second half stoppage time.
Meanwhile, Liverpool’s Gini Wijnaldum scored a late winner for the Netherlands in Poland to secure a 2-1 comeback victory but it wasn’t enough to send the Dutch into the Nations League finals as Italy topped their group.
The Reds midfielder’s header with six minutes remaining secured the points and it was his 13th goal in the last 20 international matches.
Afterwards the Netherlands captain tweeted: “Great to complete the comeback and get the win tonight!
“Proud of the mentality from our team. We didn’t make the final four but I’m looking forward to our other challenges next year.”
