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Arne Slot has been urged to reconsider his decision to drop Andy Robertson ahead of Liverpool’s return to action against Manchester United this weekend.
Robertson has lost his place as the Reds’ first-choice left-back this season following the summer signing of Milos Kerkez, with the Scot having started just two games for his club so far.
Kerkez has got the nod in all of Liverpool’s Premier League games, although he has struggled to settle in and has faced criticism for his performances, with Gary Neville particularly scathing after saying he looked like a “baby” during the recent defeat to Chelsea.
The international break hasn’t offered much respite for the 21-year-old either, despite Hungary beating Armenia before rescuing a dramatic draw against Portugal, thanks to Dominik Szoboszlai, to keep its slim hopes of automatic qualification for the World Cup alive.
Kerkez’s performances in both games were bemoaned by the media in his homeland, with suggestions that he looked “confused” after being blamed for both of Cristiano Ronaldo’s goals on Tuesday.
Robertson, meanwhile, captained Scotland to back-to-back wins over Belarus and Greece to strengthen his nation’s hopes of reaching a first World Cup since 1998, and now he has been backed to reclaim his spot in Slot’s side.
Former Crystal Palace boss Alan Pardew has suggested the Liverpool boss has made too many changes to his side following the club’s summer overhaul, and feels Robertson’s absence has been one of the factors behind the Reds’ recent slump.
“They (Liverpool) haven’t really played one great game, I don’t think,” Pardew told talkSPORT.
“He (Slot) has made a lot of changes. They have got great talent in and around the team.
“It is going to be a question mark getting the balance right. I think changing the two full-backs – Andy Robertson has been absolutely brilliant this week for Scotland – has been an issue.
“I think they’ve not looked as good at the back.”
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Liverpool hosts United this weekend looking to end a run of three consecutive defeats, having lost its spot at the top of the Premier League before the international break.
Arsenal now sits a point ahead of the Reds, with Slot facing a number of selection issues over his side this weekend, having been handed some injury concerns.
Ibrahima Konate looks to be the biggest worry at the moment, with the defender having been sent home early from duty with France after picking up a quad injury against Chelsea.
Meanwhile, Ryan Gravenberch and Wataru Endo have both had problems with their hamstrings, while Alisson Becker is expected to remain out, although the goalkeeper was spotted at Liverpool's training ground this week.
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