Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has been left to rue the international break, after one of his key players picked up a serious-looking injury on Thursday night.
Thiago Alcantara and Stefan Bajcetic have both missed the entirety of the 2023/24 season so far through injury, while Cody Gakpo picked up a minor knock against Tottenham Hotspur, ruling him out until after the October internationals.
Liverpool had 16 players called up for international duty this month, but at least one star of the squad is set to return to Anfield requiring treatment and a period on the sidelines.
Indeed, Scotland captain Andy Robertson suffered a serious-looking shoulder injury against Spain on Thursday, during their Euro 2024 qualifying 2-0 defeat.
In the 44th minute, Robertson collided with Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon, landing heavily on his shoulder as a result. The left-back had to be leave the pitch immediately afterwards, clearly in discomfort as he cradled his arm in his shirt.
Nathan Patterson replaced him, with Scotland manager Steve Clarke offering an update on the 29-year-old.
"We'll have a look and he'll go back to his club now," Clarke told Viaplay. "It always seems to happen when you lose one player in a position. We lose Kieran [Tierney] then Andy picks up a shoulder injury.
"We'll see how it is and how it settles down. Hopefully he's good for his club as soon as possible and ready to help us in November."
Robertson will likely, therefore, miss Scotland's friendly match against France on Tuesday, with Liverpool hoping he can return for their derby with Everton on October 21.
If Robertson isn't fully fit, though, then Klopp will have to put his trust in Kostas Tsimikas, who has managed just one appearance in the Premier League this term.
More Liverpool stories
Liverpool could be looking at replacing Andy Robertson with an 18-year-old from Serie A, as Klopp's rebuild continues.
Meanwhile, a Brazilian midfielder will "definitely" join the club in January.
Tottenham vs Liverpool: why was Luis Diaz's goal wrongly disallowed by VAR?
'My dad was a big West Ham fan. I scored at Upton Park once for Arsenal – my dad was in the home end and he was like, "What are you doing, son?"' Ray Parlour on growing up a West Ham supporter
‘Chelsea have to qualify for the Champions League for this season to be a success – they showed that they have the players to perform at a high level, they need a win quickly now’ Blues legend’s fears over recent bad run
