Liverpool dealt ANOTHER defensive injury blow as Andy Robertson carried off the pitch during Athletic Bilbao friendly
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LIVERPOOL'S woeful luck with defensive injuries continued before the new season has even started as Andy Robertson went off injured during their friendly against Athletic Bilbao.
The 27-year-old Scot rolled his ankle when attempting to stop a cross and was left in a heap on the floor.
He was then substituted at half time for youngster Owen Beck as Jurgen Klopp took no chances with him as the new Premier League season fast approaches.
The Reds went on to draw the game 1-1 as Diogo Jota's 13th minute opener was cancelled out by Alejandro Berenguer Remiro's second half equaliser.
When asked about Robertson's injury, Klopp said: "We don’t know at the moment how serious it is.
"He got the ball, we saw it on the TV pictures, twisted his ankle. The pain has settled but we cannot say anything further.
"He will have further assessments tomorrow with a scan. Then we will know more."
After one more friendly match against Osasuna on Monday, Liverpool kick off their campaign away at newly-promoted Norwich City on Saturday.
And Klopp must be fearing more defensive disruption after numerous injuries to key players all-but ended their title defence last season.
Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez were both ruled out for the rest of the season before Christmas, while Joel Matip also repeatedly struggled with his fitness.
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The crisis led Klopp to play midfielders Jordan Henderson and Fabinho as centre-backs, with both of them also picking up injuries at varying stages of the season.
Klopp has strengthened in the position this summer with the £36million signing of France Under-21 defender Ibrahima Konate.
The former RB Leipzig star did not feature against Bilbao, with Klopp naming a strong-looking back four consisting of Robertson, Van Dijk, Matip and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
But that quartet were swiftly broken apart once more following Robertson's first half injury.
Meanwhile, Liverpool's match with Bilbao was delayed by 30 minutes following issues relating to 'access processes and matchday operations' which held up fans being able to get into Anfield.
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