Andy Robertson admits it was “strange” making his comeback from injury for Liverpool – but believes he is now fully fit to help the Reds continue fighting on four fronts.
Robertson was sidelined for more than three months following surgery on a shoulder injury suffered while on international duty with Scotland in October.
The left-back made his comeback with a substitute appearance in the home FA Cup fourth round win over Norwich City a fortnight ago and has made subsequent outings from the bench in the Premier League against Chelsea and Arsenal.
And the 29-year-old is now confident he can press for a first start start since October 8 when Jurgen Klopp’s side look to bounce back from their 3-1 reverse at the Emirates last weekend when entertaining Burnley on Saturday afternoon.
“It was a long time out – the longest time I’ve ever been out – so it was certainly challenging in different ways,” said Robertson. “When you come back it’s kind of strange, you don’t know what it’s going to be like; obviously the atmosphere when I came on (against Norwich) just reminded me how big a part I am of this club, and it was a nice feeling. I walked off that pitch feeling as if I was back.
“The Norwich game was probably slightly earlier than we had planned. Then it was just about trying to get match sharpness up and things like that, we obviously went into a really busy period. The Chelsea game, I got some more minutes, and obviously the Arsenal game was difficult for different reasons.
“When you’ve been out that long it takes you a bit of time to get rhythm, but I feel as if I’m there now. Especially this week with a week’s training, I believe I’ll be ready to go from here on in.”
Kostas Tsimikas had started to impress as Robertson’s replacement at left-back before suffering a shoulder injury of his own shortly before Christmas, after which the versatile Joe Gomez has excelled in the position.
Gomez recently passed 200 appearances for Liverpool but has still to score a senior goal, whether for the Reds, former club Charlton Athletic or at international level.
And Robertson said: “He’s getting pretty close, yeah. We’ve tried to say to him we don’t think his first goal is going to be a 40-yard screamer… I think it’s going to be a scruffy one at the back post where it comes off his knee, shin and toe at the same time. So he maybe needs to stop that shooting a bit too much!
“I think everyone is trying to will it in for him. But it will come. Goals don’t define you but it would be nice certainly to celebrate a Joe Gomez goal, that’s for sure.”
Robertson added to liverpoolfc.com: “Everyone sees Joey’s quality and the flexibility of positions that he can play. He can play anywhere across the back line. He does well in every position he’s played this season, which is so important to have a player like that. Even when he steps into the midfield and things, he looks comfortable. Everyone is just buzzing that he’s doing so well.”
