Kostas Tsimikas spent his first season at Liverpool out in the cold but now, after a fine pre-season and with Andy Robertson injured, the Greek defender finally has a chance to prove to Jurgen Klopp he can contribute at Anfield
- Kostas Tsimikas joined Liverpool last year but barely played in his first season
- Andy Robertson was the definition of consistency and Tsimikas had injuries
- But after a solid pre-season, the Greek defender looks like he belongs at Anfield
- With Robertson injured, Tsimikas looks likely to start at Norwich on Saturday
It is never easy to arrive at a new club as an understudy in football but for Kostas Tsimikas it has been a difficult first year at Liverpool.
For Jurgen Klopp and sporting director Michael Edwards, finding cover for Andy Robertson is a tough sell.
How do you promise someone game time when your main player in that position is so reliable and one of the best in the world?
Kostas Tsimikas looks likely to play a big role for Liverpool in the opening weeks of the season
The Greek defender has taken time to adapt to Jurgen Klopp’s methods since signing last year
Robertson played in every single one of Liverpool’s 38 Premier League games last season. He played in 36 league games in both 2019-20 and 2018-19.
So bringing in an alternative left back was never going to be easy. But Liverpool needed someone to fill in as the demands on Robertson continued to grow.
James Milner has shown his versatility in previous seasons by filling in at left back when needed but Liverpool definitely lost some of their attacking thrust when the right-footed midfielder played there.
So last summer Klopp and Edwards decided it was time to buy another left back. It was thought Tsimikas was one of three options the Reds pursued.
Norwich’s Jamal Lewis was one but he ended up signing for Newcastle while Sergio Reguilon was too expensive as back-up. The Spaniard left Real Madrid and signed for Tottenham for around £30million.
Tsimikas only made seven appearances in all competitions after joining from Olympiacos
Tsimikas had been on the radar of Liverpool’s scouting department for quite some time and showed he was ready for the step up in class in the Champions League in 2019-20.
Leicester were also interested in the Greek international but the Reds got a £11.75m deal over the line 12 months ago.
But Tsimikas struggled to adapt in his first year on Merseyside and there were a number of issues that prevented him from being able to provide the cover for Robertson that Klopp wanted.
But with Andy Robertson suffering an ankle injury, Tsimikas looks likely start at Norwich on Saturday
He caught coronavirus and also picked up niggling thigh and knee injuries that took time to recover.
As ever with Klopp’s signings, players need time to adapt to his tactical style and coaching methods before they are given the green light to play.
Liverpool’s defensive injuries last season also meant Klopp was reluctant to chop and change at full back when there was such little inconsistency in the heart of his defence.
That all combined to limit Tsimikas to just seven appearances, including two starts in the Champions League group stage and one in the League Cup.
But Tsimikas was said to be making good progress on the training pitch towards the end of last season and, despite talk of him leaving Anfield this summer, Klopp was keen to keep him around.
Now, with Liverpool’s opening league game against Norwich on Saturday, he looks likely to start at left back after a superb pre-season.
Tsimikas has delivered a number of eye-catching displays, the latest coming in the 3-1 win over Osasuna at Anfield on Monday night.
The Greek star has been flying up and down the left wing and provided an outstanding cross for Roberto Firmino to head home on Monday. His rise has come at the perfect time with Robertson set for a spell on the sidelines.
The left back has impressed in pre-season and given some impressive displays in friendlies
Tsimikas is popular around the changing room and forged a bromance with Mohamed Salah
The Scot suffered a nasty-looking ankle injury in Sunday’s draw with Athletic Bilbao and tests earlier this week showed ligament damage that is likely to keep him out of action until September.
Tsimikas, self-title the ‘Greek Scouser’ on social media has endeared himself to fans and has struck him a bromance with Mohamed Salah.
But he now has the opportunity to finally make his mark in the Liverpool defence a year after joining.
With opening games against Norwich, Burnley and Chelsea, he has a chance to prove Robertson should not just walk back into the team again once he’s fit.