Kostas Tsimikas under big pressure to step up for Liverpool

Another worldwide break, one other harm setback for Liverpool.

These gaps between home motion are painful at the very best of occasions – are there actually three of those each autumn?? – and whereas the info could recommend in any other case, it does really feel as if the Reds are incapable of reconvening with their entire squad nonetheless intact.

Liverpool’s newest harm casualty on worldwide responsibility is Andy Robertson, who suffered a shoulder downside for Scotland that threatens to rule him out for an prolonged time frame.

The 29-year-old is a sturdy determine who has so usually been reliable within the health division, so not having him round for a bit of motion acts as an enormous blow.

Few gamers within the Jurgen Klopp period have been extra constant in all sides of being an expert, from performing effectively to easily being accessible week in, week out.

While there have been a number of dissenting voices over whether or not Robertson has drifted previous his peak, and if he’s the answer in a tweaked left-back function to accommodate the roaming Trent Alexander-Arnold, he’s solely really appreciated when he isn’t taking part in.

Not having him round not solely sees Liverpool lose an enormous quantity of expertise and high quality, but in addition some hearth of their stomach and a priceless profitable mentality.

What the Scot’s harm does do is present Kostas Tsimikas with an enormous alternative to show his value within the coming weeks, assuming Klopp opts for him as a like-for-like substitute for Robertson.

There is the choice of taking part in Joe Gomez there, as he has carried out sporadically up to now, in addition to teenager Luke Chambers, however each situations really feel much less probably.

READ MORE: Three methods Liverpool might line up with out Andy Robertson

Tsimikas has had a curious Liverpool profession to this point, with the Greek clearly a preferred determine within the dressing room and an extroverted persona, to not point out being preferred by many followers for these causes.

He is affectionally often called the ‘Greek Scouser’ for a purpose and it’s simple to heat to him when coaching floor clips or promotional movies emerge.

There was additionally the FA Cup-clinching penalty in 2022 that may without end etch his title into Reds folklore, and a tally of 12 assists in 40 begins is a powerful ratio for somebody who doesn’t all the time obtain reward for his finish product.

Kostas Tsimikas

Despite this, Tsimikas has additionally flattered to deceive too usually in a Liverpool shirt, offering much less defensive nous than Robertson and proving to be a major step down in capacity from his teammate.

Granted, there is no such thing as a nice disgrace in that, contemplating Robertson is presumably the Reds’ greatest-ever left-back, however quite than kick on the longer he has been at Anfield, he has arguably began to go backwards, not proving to be a robust sufficient deputy in his place.

While a median of three.5 clearances and a couple of.5 tackles and interceptions apiece within the Europa League this season recommend he has carried out effectively, his general performances in opposition to LASK and Union SG weren’t wholly convincing, and he did not put any stress on Robertson for his place within the Premier League.

When given the prospect to shine, there has usually not been sufficient defensive focus or attacking consistency on present, and solely 4 minutes of league motion have come his approach this season to this point, which speaks volumes.

For this purpose, the concept of Tsimikas coming into the crew has been met with a component of dread, at a time when Liverpool are already creaking just a little within the defensive division, being lower open too simply in 2023/24, not helped by an absence of an out-and-out ‘quantity six’.

It appears virtually nailed on that he’ll begin Saturday’s eagerly-anticipated Merseyside derby conflict with Everton at Anfield, in what represents a must-win sport for Klopp’s males.

Having picked only one level from their final two video games in opposition to Tottenham and Brighton, one other below-par consequence right here would actually sting, and they’re dealing with a Blues facet who could possibly be laborious to interrupt down in true Sean Dyche style.

If Liverpool are to harbour real Premier League title aspirations this season, they can’t afford to be slipping up in video games of this ilk, even when it’s a derby.

Dyche could possibly be Liverpool’s left-back space and seeing it as a spot to focus on, so there may be each probability that Tsimikas will probably be below the microscope from the off at Anfield.

READ MORE: How Liverpool ought to line up in midfield to fight a bodily Everton problem

Perhaps an unfair accusation within the eyes of some, however he can appear like a participant who lacks focus and sturdiness, particularly when fiery fixtures arrive, however that can’t afford to be the case this weekend, with an enormous efficiency required from him.

Now 27, Tsimikas ought to be considered as an skilled head who can are available in, do a strong job and make the absence of Robertson really feel comparatively unproblematic.

There is an undesirable unpredictability about him meaning you do not fairly know what you are going to get, nevertheless, and that’s removed from ideally suited.

It is straightforward to envisage Tsimikas producing a cult hero-like efficiency in opposition to Everton, biting into tackles, geeing up the followers and bringing power down the left flank, however equally, it would not be a shock to see him value Liverpool and throw in a stinker of a efficiency.

The Greece worldwide has nonetheless contributed loads of good for the Reds, so it will be unfair to color him as a Paul Konchesky-esque legal responsibility, however Klopp’s facet have reached such large heights nowadays that elite ranges are required from key males and squad gamers alike.

If Tsimikas has been irked a couple of lack of soccer due to the brilliance of Robertson, now could be the proper time for him to indicate his supervisor that he will be trusted for weeks on finish.

There is a lingering concern that Robertson’s inventory will solely rise over the subsequent month or so, although.