Andy Robertson makes startling injury admission after playing through pain for FIVE months

Liverpool and Scotland left-back Andy Robertson has revealed that he spent the final months of last season and the summer's European Championship playing in pain because of an injury issue .

The 30-year-old wanted to play through the pain barrier in the hope of helping his club and national sides over the line. He only made one appearance during Liverpool's pre-season ( against Las Palmas ) but went straight into the starting XI at Ipswich Town .

And afterward, while revealing the months of pain that he has been in, Robertson confirmed that he is back at full tilt again. He managed 79 minutes against Ipswich before being replaced by Kostas Tsimikas .

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"I felt really good today all things considered," Robertson told reporters including from Liverpool.com . "I was playing in pain from March onwards and obviously it was a really important time for club and going into a really important time for country.

"I hoped that the three weeks off would settle things down but it didn't and it needed a bit longer. I managed to get my fitness up to a really good level without being with the team which was really frustrating but I made sure I was in America.

"I was asking the coaches questions and trying to learn when I couldn't be on the pitch and then that would put me in the best shape possible. There's still lots to learn for all of us — it's a completely new philosophy and it will take a bit of time."

The victory at Ipswich meant Arne Slot becoming the first Liverpool manager (or head coach) to win their first match in charge in the Premier League era. Robertson is in line to start in Slot's first competitive game at Anfield against Brentford on Sunday.

"I felt fit today and I felt good," he continued. "Obviously coming off, the last 10 minutes I was starting to feel a little bit tired which is normal. But I felt good and I'm pain-free for the first time in five months which is always positive, so long may that continue."

Liverpool.com says: Robertson should be well suited to playing under Slot and now he is over his injury issue, he will be able to get back up to full match sharpness again and that will shine through. He started slowly against Ipswich and had some troubles with Wes Burns, but like the team as a whole, was much better in the second half.