Liverpool pair Andy Robertson and Diogo Jota have both been injured whilst away on international duty.
According to 90min, the Liverpool players picked up injuries during the latest round of Nations League fixtures.
Jota was stuck down with a thigh injury whilst playing for Portugal. Liverpool have reportedly ‘been informed’ of the issue, as Jota undergoes treatment.
Meanwhile, Robertson was left out of Scotland’s squad for the game against Armenia yesterday. The 28-year-old’s issue is as of yet ‘unspecified.’
Race to be fit for pre-season
The injuries to Jota and Robertson highlight exactly why these end-of-season internationals were entirely reckless.
After a long and gruelling season, the last thing players want is to play four more largely meaningless games.
The risk of injury is high, and so it has proved for Liverpool.
Jurgen Klopp will be desperately hoping that both players make a recovery in time for the start of Liverpool’s pre-season on July 4th.
That date is now less than three weeks away though. There’s no specificity over the severity of the issues, but that isn’t a hugely long time to prepare.
Robbed of a proper break
Heading into pre-season injured can have a big knock-on effect for the season. Those first weeks can set the tone for the campaign ahead, if you miss them you’re already playing catch-up.
It isn’t as though Liverpool don’t have cover for the two players. But that isn’t the point.
Both Jota and Robertson deserved a proper rest this off-season. Only Jordan Henderson featured more for Liverpool than Diogo, and Robbo was as relentless as ever.
Unfortunately, it now looks as though they’ll be robbed of a proper break as they recover from their respective issues.
Receive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox
