Kostas Tsimikas must start against Sheffield United
Liverpool left-back Kostas Tsimikas must start against Sheffield United at the end of February.
The Greek international was signed as a back-up for Andy Robertson, but his position in the squad has been far removed from that. Never mind being a back-up, Tsimikas doesn’t even seem like the back-up to the back-up.
With just five Premier League minutes this season, the summer signing has had an awful debut campaign with Liverpool.
Kostas Tsimikas has disappointed Liverpool
True, a combination of injury and COVID hampered the 24-year-old’s integration into the squad, but Jurgen Klopp has barely looked likely to play the ex-Olympiacos star this season.
We know that Klopp often takes his time with new signings, but giving Tsimikas just five minutes despite the Greek making the last seven Premier League squads seems tough even by his standards.
Especially when you combine that with Andy Robertson’s poor form. The Scot is exhausted, he must be. Robertson has played 2,908 minutes this season, the most in the Liverpool squad. It’s natural that he’d be feeling it in his legs, especially when the rest of the team isn’t functioning well.
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Klopp hasn’t rotated effectively this campaign, but against the league’s worst attack, he has a rare chance to give Robertson some much needed time off. Tsimikas must start.
Liverpool must start Kostas Tsimikas
There was no point signing the left-back if he wasn’t going to start this type of game. We’re not suggesting that Klopp did wrong by playing Robbo so much, but when the opportunity comes around to rest key men, it must be taken.
Playing Tsimikas against the Blades would give him the chance he’s been waiting for the whole season and a chance to let Klopp see how his man deals with football at the highest level.
One thing that might work against Tsimikas is the team’s need to win. With just two victories from the last five games, things haven’t been going well.
After West Ham beat Tottenham Hotspur, the Hammers are starting to pull away. They’re currently five points above Liverpool in fourth place.