LIVERPOOL’S meeting with Manchester City at Anfield this afternoon is a chance, probably a final chance, for Jurgen Klopp’s side to resurrect their ailing Premier League title challenge.
But is it an opportunity for Andy Robertson to begin preparations for Scotland’s forthcoming Euro 2024 qualifying campaign as well?
The left back, who made his return from injury in the Champions League trashing of Rangers at Ibrox on Wednesday night, will find himself up against Erling Haaland if he is selected by Klopp.
Could the national team captain gain an invaluable insight into how to nullify the threat posed by the Norwegian goalscoring sensation in their Group A encounters?
“No, that won’t start till next year,” he said as he looked ahead to the meeting with the defending English champions on Merseyside.
Scotland, though, is never far from the thoughts of the Liverpool defender.
He was disappointed not to be involved in the Nations League matches against Ukraine and the Republic of Ireland during the last international break.
However, he was delighted to see Steve Clarke’s side record two wins and a draw, top Group B1 and secure a Pot Two seeding for the Euro 2024 qualifying draw.
The 59-times capped 28-year-old believes they can go into their meetings with Spain, Norway, Georgia and Cyprus in March in a positive frame of mind.
“It was devastating to miss those games,” he said. “Sell-out matches at Hampden? Those are the games you want to be involved in.
“I went up to the Ireland game and I was with the boys all day. It was a good atmosphere and a good day to be involved in, even though I was itching to be on the pitch.
“But it was far too soon for that. I was just out the brace at that point and it makes it a wee bit easier when you’re still in pain and you know you can’t play.
“It’s tough not to be involved, but the boys did magnificent, it was good to watch and it brought the feel good factor back after a disappointing summer. We got promotion too which was the main thing.”
Asked for his thoughts about Group A, Robertson said: “It’s difficult. Obviously being in Pot Two we thought it would be a benefit, but I think we have got the hardest draw in the whole tournament.
“That’s the way I look at it. But it’s exciting, you know we are full of confidence and we will concentrate on that next year.”
Before then, Robertson is keen to put a frustrating spell firmly behind him, get into the Liverpool starting line-up on a regular basis and help the English giants perform at their best on a consistent basis at home and abroad.
“It’s good to be back,” he said. “I obviously didn’t miss too many games with everything that went on, but it has been a long five weeks.
“I was happy to be back out on the pitch again. When you play back in your home country you want to be involved. It was always my aim to be back round about this time for the Champions League and luckily I managed to make it. It was good to get a good result, that was the main thing.
“I have missed five weeks and I’ve missed that feeling of playing football. There have been long days on the rehab pitch and hopefully there aren’t more of those ahead. I’m not patient, that’s for sure.
“When I’m in the physio room I want to get out of there as quick as I can. The physios know that, but you have respect the injury and look after yourself when it happens. You can’t control it unfortunately and you need to try and start the process of fixing it. Luckily, mine wasn’t as bad as it could have been.”
Robertson added: “We need a run of results. We need to find our form again and we need to be consistent and keep doing the things we are good at. Obviously we gave Rangers a goal start on Tuesday which ideally shouldn’t happen. So we need to get back to keeping clean sheets too.
“Look it’s a start, but we have made a couple of starts this season and we have not made it count. We need to get our consistency back and that’s what will make us successful.”
Robertson is certainly keen to feature against City and Haaland, who has netted 20 goals in 13 appearances since completing his £50m move from Borussia Dortmund to the Etihad Stadium back in July, today.
“I’ll always be ready,” he said. “When I’m back fit I always feel as if I’m ready. Of course you have to go through the process of getting match fitness, but if the manager wants me to play I will be ready to play.
“I accept all the work on rehab pitches, running round empty fields on your own, that gets your fitness up. I feel fit and today will help my match fitness.”
