Kostas Tsimikas in action for Liverpool. (imago Images)
According to a report by Turkish outlet Fotomac (h/t The Mirror), Fenerbahce are monitoring Kostas Tsimikas at Liverpool. And it goes on to say that the Reds would be willing to sanction a loan transfer for the Greek left-back. He only joined the club last summer from Olympiacos.
It seems like he could be loaned out in search of first-team football. After all, he made two Premier League appearances last term. However, this may not be the wisest move from Liverpool, especially considering what happened last season with injuries. Let us see why Jurgen Klopp is better off keeping Tsimikas at Liverpool.
The club does not have a senior back-up player for Andy Robertson. The Scotsman has been used like a bar of soap by Jurgen Klopp as he ended up making 50 appearances in all competition this season. And that is a very big number for any player no matter what club he is playing for.
But apart from him and Tsimikas, the Reds do not have a natural left-back. And that is an obvious problem. This Premier League season was truncated and given Robertson was played so much, it could have led to burnout or a long-term injury. Thankfully, that didn’t happen.
However, there is no surety that it won’t happen next season too. Another aspect of keeping Tsimikas at the club is competition for spots. While Robertson is the obvious starter, having Tsimikas as an understudy could have an effect on both players’ performances in a positive way.
After all, as Klopp himself said, Andy Robertson was signed to challenge Alberto Moreno, not replace him straightaway. Moreno ended up being offloaded later on while the Scotsman now was an essential part of Liverpool’s Premier League and UEFA Champions League-winning team.
If there is an issue of games for Tsimikas, there would be no shortage of opportunities next term for the club. Liverpool, like most top clubs in Europe, will be vying for success in four season-long competitions. There will be times when fatigue would affect players or Klopp might rotate his team due to injuries, as he had to this season.
And if he has no option but to play Robertson at that point in time, it would be a tricky situation. Yes, James Milner has deputised in that position in the past. However, a team like Liverpool should not be relying on players playing out of their positions to cover up gaps in the team.
Nevertheless, Milner will likely be needed in central midfield. With Georginio Wijnaldum on his way to PSG and Liverpool not eyeing a direct replacement for a player that made 51 appearances for them this season, the Englishman could have an important role to play in midfield instead of being burdened with the task of covering for Robertson in defence.
