Robertson’s rough night & Klopp’s Dortmund return – Saturday’s Liverpool News & Rumour Roundup

Here’s all the Liverpool news and transfer rumours you need to know on Saturday, ahead of England’s first clash of the international break against Spain.

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Robertson Didn’t Enjoy First Night as Captain

Scotland's Andrew Robertson - Martin Rickett/PA Archive/PA Images

Before Friday night’s friendly against Belgium, Andy Robertson expressed his delight at being named Scotland’s new permanent captain.

But after a 4-0 thrashing with goals from Romelu Lukaku, Eden Hazard and a Michy Batshuayi brace, Robertson was left despondent, as he spoke to Sky Sports after full-time.

“Not really, no,” he said when asked if he enjoyed his first game as captain despite the loss.

“I’m sure there’ll be a lot better days. Obviously it’s a massive honour for me to lead my country out and for all of my family here it’s an emotional day for them.

“But I don’t care about the armband on my arm if we get beat 4-0 if I’m being completely honest.”

While it was frustrating to see Robertson’s side lose at Hampden Park, this is the right mentality the Liverpool left-back needs to take as he transitions into life as a leader.

 

Liverpool vs. Chelsea Subject of TV Tussle

LONDON, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 6, 2018: Liverpool's Mohamed Salah embraces former team-mate Chelsea's Eden Hazard before the FA Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Liverpool FC at Stamford Bridge. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Liverpool will take on Chelsea in back-to-back games this month, with the first of their two meetings coming in the League Cup third round.

But as the Telegraph‘s Chris Bascombe reports, it is no clearer at this stage when the game will take place—due to a clash with Everton‘s tie against Southampton.

Both Merseyside teams are playing at home, but with Everton and Chelsea scheduled to play in the Premier League on the Sunday before, they are both pushing for a Wednesday kickoff.

However, with “policing and transport issues” ensuring they can’t be held on the same night, no resolution has been found at this stage.

Though rare, this is another example of the unbending will of the broadcasters and its impact on clubs and supporters alike.

 

Klopp Returns to Dortmund on Emotional Night

Jurgen Klopp was back at the Westfalenstadion for one night only on Friday as he returned to the dugout for Roman Weidenfeller’s testimonial.

Though he was originally slated for a playing role too, the 51-year-old instead led the BVB All-Stars side against the long-serving Dortmund goalkeeper’s select XI.

Weidenfeller rightly took centre stage, and both scored and saved a penalty, as well as netting from open play, in a side including Per Mertesacker, Michael Ballack and Lukasz Podolski.

In Klopp’s team were a host of his former Dortmund players, with the likes of Lukasz Piszczek, Kevin Grosskreutz, Marcel Schmelzer, Nevan Subotic, Sebastian Kehl and Sven Bender taking to the field.

Let’s hope he didn’t get too comfortable on a great night for Weidenfeller and Dortmund!

 

Randall’s Loan Move Ruined by Injury

LONDON, ENGLAND - Friday, August 26, 2016: Liverpool's Connor Randall in action against Arsenal during the FA Premier League 2 Under-23 match at the Emirates Stadium. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Liverpool right-back Connor Randall has endured a tough time so far this season, and just two appearances into his short-term loan at Rochdale and his spell at the Spotland Stadium seems over.

The 22-year-old was forced off due to injury on his debut against Middlesbrough, and then again in Tuesday’s 2-1 win over Bury in the Checkatrade Trophy—this time with a serious blow.

“He’s got a fractured cheekbone,” Dale manager Keith Hill told RochdaleAFC.co.uk.

“It was a clumsy accident that led to Connor having to come off, and unfortunately for Connor, he’s going to be out for 12 weeks. That’s a big miss for us and it’s a shame for him.

“He’s back at Liverpool because he needs an operation but we’re in contact. We wish him well in his recovery.”

As Hill explained, Randall has returned to Merseyside for treatment, and with a 12-week layoff expected it is unclear whether he will feature for Rochdale again before his loan expires in January.

 

Glatzel Taking Inspiration From Jones & Camacho

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - Saturday, December 9, 2017: Liverpool's substitute Paul Glatzel during an Under-18 FA Premier League match between Manchester United and Liverpool FC at the Cliff Training Ground. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Seventeen-year-old striker and captain Paul Glatzel has been the star for the Liverpool U18s so far this season, scoring six times in four games so far.

And while it remains a long way off, he is convinced he’s at the right club in terms of progressing to the first team, with Curtis Jones and Rafa Camacho his role models, as he told LiverpoolFC.com:

“It’s good for them and we see them and what they are doing.

They are playing well and it gives us the confidence to do what we can do and it gives us the belief that we can get there as well one day on our own journey.

“This club gives you a pathway to the first team if you are good enough to take it.

“Seeing the boys get a chance and do well is good for us and we all hope that we can get there one day.”

U18s manager Barry Lewtas certainly believes Glatzel is capable of doing so, hailing him and fellow forward Bobby Duncan as having an “extremely positive” partnership in his academy column this week.

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