Andy Robertson’s injury is undoubtedly going to be a huge blow for Liverpool. There is no denying the Scotsman, who is set for his longest lay-off since joining Jürgen Klopp’s side will be sorely missed at Anfield. But injuries are part and parcel of the game and on the left side, Liverpool is well prepared to handle an injury to Robertson.
With Kostas Tsimikas brought in a couple of years ago exactly for this purpose, Liverpool has an excellent deputy who has been reliable every time he has come on and needed to step up for Robertson. He will need to improve on his performance against Everton but the Greek is a more reliable back-up than most teams can rely on.
On top of that, Klopp also has the option to play Joe Gomez in that role, who has been used as a left-back in his Liverpool career in the past, and who is in very good form as well. He’s mostly played right-back in the last few years, but he is definitely capable of filling in on the left as well, as he did off the bench during the Merseyside derby.
Then as Klopp mentioned in his press conference he’s also got players like Luke Chambers, who could step up from the club’s academy and who made his debut this season after an impressive loan spell at Kilmarnock last season.
“It’s not just Kostas. He cannot play all the games from now on. Joe Gomez can also play the position. We have Luke Chambers and other young boys. We need options so that’s good,” Klopp said.
The ‘other young boys’ could have also alluded to Calum Scanlon, who has been training with Liverpool’s first team recently and who was included on the bench against Everton at the weekend. Scanlon is regarded as a top prospect at the club.
Brought in from Birmingham City, which has produced players like Jude Bellingham and is renowned for having a strong academy, Scanlon has been impressive ever since joining the club. Recently, he has scored for Liverpool against League Two side Morecambe in the EFL Trophy.