Liverpool and Scotland left-back Andy Robertson is reportedly set to miss next weekend's Merseyside derby against Everton after dislocating his shoulder in Thursday's Euro 2024 qualifier with Spain.
Already without Real Sociedad's Arsenal loanee Kieran Tierney due to injury, Steve Clarke fielded Robertson on the left-hand side of his five-man defensive wall at the Estadio La Cartuja.
However, the 29-year-old's evening came to a premature end in the 44th minute, as he was clattered by Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon and was in visible discomfort as he trudged off with his arm in a makeshift sling.
Everton's Nathan Patterson came on to replace his stricken Merseyside rival, and head coach Clarke revealed after the game that Robertson would immediately be sent back to Liverpool for further assessment.
"It was an immediate decision to take him off, he'll go back to his club, he'll be assessed. Obviously he's hurt his shoulder. We'll have a look, obviously go back to his club," Clarke told the media.
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"Always seems to happens when you lose one player in a position: we lose Kieran (Tierney) on the left side and then Andy's picked up a shoulder injury.
"We'll see how it is, see how it settles down and hopefully he's good for his club as quickly as possible and he's ready to help us in November."
According to The Athletic, Robertson's injury is as serious as first feared, as the former Hull City defender dislocated his shoulder and faces a spell on the sidelines, the length of which will be determined after a scan on Friday.
However, Robertson is not expected to recover in time for the first Premier League Merseyside derby of the season, which sees Everton visit Anfield following the international break on October 21 for the lunchtime kickoff.
As a result, Greece international Kostas Tsimikas - who has just penned a new contract with the Reds - will step in for Robertson while he recovers, and the Scotsman is now the fifth player in the care of the Liverpool medics.
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Jurgen Klopp has been working without Thiago Alcantara for the past six months due to a hip injury, and the Spaniard is still a few weeks away from a return owing to a couple of setbacks.
Thiago's compatriot Stefan Bajcetic is also working his way back from a calf issue - having missed the end of the 2022-23 season with an adductor problem - while second-choice goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher withdrew from the Republic of Ireland squad due to a knee injury, which required 12 stitches to mend.
Cody Gakpo was not called up to the Netherlands squad either due to a knee problem, but the attacker is making good progress in his recovery and has a slim chance of making his comeback against the Toffees.
Diogo Jota will also return from his one-game ban for the Merseyside derby, but Curtis Jones remains on the suspended list by virtue of his straight red card in Liverpool's loss to Tottenham Hotspur.
Following Robertson's withdrawal, Scotland had a Scott McTominay free kick controversially ruled out for offside and succumbed to second-half strikes from Alvaro Morata and Oihan Sancet in a 2-0 loss to Spain, who prevented Clarke's side from sealing qualification for Euro 2024 with two games to spare.
Nevertheless, Scotland remain top of Group A with 15 points and will be assured of a top-two finish if Norway fail to beat Spain on Sunday, otherwise Clarke's men need just two draws from next month's fixtures against Georgia and Norway to qualify.
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