Liverpool defender Andrew Robertson was a concerning injury casualty in the first half of Scotland’s Euro 2024 qualifier against Spain on Thursday night.
The Scotland captain has led his country on an incredible run that had resulted in five consecutive qualifying wins over the previous seven months to put them on the brink of a second successive European Championship finals.
But his evening at La Cartuja in Seville ended prematurely in the closing minutes of the first half.
Robertson, who represented Scotland at Euro 2020 and was installed as captain as far back as 2018, collided with Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon during an aerial challenge in the penalty area.
Simon rose highest with his arms outstretched in an attempt to catch the ball, but collided with Robertson and ended up coming down on the left-back as they both fell to the floor.
Robertson immediately appeared to be in severe discomfort as he clutched his right shoulder. Gingerly, he was able to walk off the pitch with help from Scotland medical staff, although his shirt was pulled up into a makeshift sling to support the weight of his arm and relieve the pressure on his clearly painful shoulder. If he has suffered a dislocation, it could mean around six weeks out.
As well as for Scotland, it is a major blow for Liverpool. Robertson has been an ever-present in the Premier League so far this season as the Reds have bounced back from a disappointing 2022/23.
Were Robertson to be missing for the next six weeks, he could miss seven or even eight Liverpool games – including the first Merseyside derby of the season a week on Saturday and possibly also the clash with Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on 25 November.
In his likely absence, Kostas Tsimikas will be drafted into the starting XI. Typically, the Greece international gets more opportunities in cup competitions and has only started 18 Premier League games since he joined Liverpool from Olympiacos in the summer of 2020.
