Andy Robertson will be refreshed for Saturday’s Merseyside derby, following a booking for Scotland over the weekend.
The 26-year-old will be an important figure at Goodison Park this weekend, as Liverpool look to silence their high-flying neighbours.
With many international teams playing three matches during the break, there are concerns that some players could return tired, but Robertson shouldn’t be one of them.
The left-back received a yellow card for kicking the ball away petulantly in Scotland’s 1-0 win over Slovakia on Sunday night, meaning he is suspended for Wednesday’s meeting with Czech Republic.
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We’re certainly not accusing Robertson of deliberately getting booked, but his suspension is a clear positive for Liverpool.
Energy is such a huge part of his game and Jurgen Klopp needs him at his best on Saturday lunchtime, in what is a crucial derby.
Robertson could be such a key man up against the in-form James Rodriguez, attempting to keep the Colombian quiet and also making him track back and do his defensive work.
Robertson has the speed and legs over Rodriguez, so he and Sadio Mane could potentially double up on Seamus Coleman if Everton’s new signing switches off defensively.
I see it as one of the key battles at Goodison Park, as the Blues look for a first derby win over their rivals since 2010.
