Klopp faces two major issues at Liverpool after Andy Robertson injury setback

18 October 2023 , 17:11

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Andy Robertson suffered a shoulder injury while playing for Scotland (Image: Jose Luis Contreras/Getty Images)

With Andy Robertson’s shoulder injury likely to keep him out until December at the earliest, it places a spotlight once more on Liverpool’s defence, and the depth of cover in Jurgen Klopp’s squad.

The back line has been an Achilles heel in recent years, their title defence in 2020-21 - described by the German coach as “the worst ever” - sabotaged by injuries to his four senior centre halves.

Prior to that, Klopp was forced to employ James Milner at left back for a season, and has also frequently used Joe Gomez as cover in the right back position.

This time around, his defensive unit looks strong enough, with the young find of the season so far Jarrell Quansah emerging, to give the manager five credible options at centre back with all five used frequently already.

But that hides a less rosy picture elsewhere. In goal Alisson has so far suffered a rare injury free season, but his talented understudy Caoimhin Kelleher was absent from Europa League duty with injury.

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And now Robertson’s shoulder issue - which will keep him out for at least 10 weeks if surgery is required - highlights an issue in the full back positions as well, with more injuries in that department.

Klopp has always had faith in Gomez as a reliable alternative to Trent Alexander-Arnold at right back, and he has also used midfielder Stefan Bacjetic in that position too - which is fortunate, because the nominated understudy in 20 year old Northern Ireland international Conor Bradley, has been injured for the entire campaign so far.

Klopp could be without Robertson until December

The truth is though, that no one can truly replicate what the England star does for Liverpool - with his ability to provide record-breaking assists from the flanks AND to switch inside to play as a ‘quarterback’ creator in midfield arguably unmatched in world football. Gomez, for all his qualities, can’t come close.

On the left it is a different matter. Robertson has been something of an ever-present, and his numbers in creating from that flank are as widely known as they are impressive.

But the attacking instinct of his understudy at Anfield, Kostas Tsimikas, means he can at least attempt to match the Scotland captain’s output, even if there are question marks about his reliability.

It was something he displayed recently in his nation Greece’s win over Ireland in European Championships qualifying, with a fine assist in an important victory - and his attacking numbers back it up, with similar creativity, and even more take-ons than his rival for the left back berth.

Kostas Tsimikas is Andy Robertson's understudy at left-back

But there are two big problems facing Klopp. If surgery is required, then Robertson could be sidelined anywhere from 10 weeks to four months, and that would leave Tsimikas facing a lot of football, particularly because the young left back in the squad, Luke Chambers, also picked up an injury recently.

For Liverpool, Tsimikas has looked a little uncertain when he has played this season, but that could simply be because Robertson’s consistency - only Mo Salah and Alexander-Arnold of the current squad have played more minutes under Klopp - has left him rusty.

But the Scottish skipper has also played an important new role in recent months, dropping slightly deeper to accommodate the new formation forged around a slightly different position for Alexander-Arnold.

Such a system, which requires the left back to become a third centre back, doesn’t really suit Tsimikas, whose attacking instincts lend themselves to a more traditional Klopp 4-3-3 system. Robertson has played in a three at the back before and has looked accomplished this season…the Greek defender looks uncomfortable in such a role.

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So it is a major headache for the manager, who may be forced to adapt his game plan once more, or to perhaps gamble on a Gomez switch to left back - where he in fact started his career for Liverpool in another defensive emergency under Brendan Rodgers.

Whichever way he leans, the spotlight will once again be on Liverpool’s defensive cover…though finding an understudy good enough to replicate the roles of Alexander-Arnold and Robertson, AND be happy to do so, is a big ask in modern football.

David Maddock