In Focus: How Tsimikas has put Robertson on Red alert

Andy Robertson’s place in Liverpool’s starting XI is now under serious threat. 

Apart from the six-month spell immediately following his arrival from Hull in 2017, the Scotland captain has been an undisputed starter for Jurgen Klopp. 

But an injury during pre-season opened the door for Kostas Tsimikas and the former Olympiacos full-back has ensured it remains open with a number of impressive displays. 

Another eye-catching outing against Norwich tonight in the Carabao Cup and Klopp will be left with a surprise selection headache ahead of next weekend’s visit to Brentford.

Slow beginnings

Tsimikas arrived at Anfield during the 2020 summer transfer window. 

After the Reds failed to strike a deal with Norwich for Jamal Lewis, the Greece international was bumped to the top of the club’s wishlist and an £11.75million move was quickly finalised. 

The 25-year-old had a tough start to life on Merseyside as he detailed in an interview ahead of the 2021-22 campaign. 

He said: “The first six months were very difficult for me because I had Covid and two injuries, but the second half of the year was very good and I trained very hard in coming back from the injuries. 

“Now I am more ready and in good shape to give everything for the team and help them to achieve our goals.”

Right player, wrong time

There is always a transition period for new Liverpool signings as Klopp looks to get them up to speed with the rigours of the English game and the nuances of the system he deploys. 

It worked with Robertson and Fabinho, who were slowly introduced into the first team. 

Unfortunately for Tsimikas, not only did he pick up a few knocks during this period but the Reds also suffered an injury crisis. 

As a result, even when fit, it was near impossible for Klopp to bed the left-back in. 

With so much change on an almost weekly basis for the 2019-20 champions, there was not a clear opening for Tsimikas to come in and give Robertson a break.

What a difference a year makes

Now though, the fee paid for Tsimikas looks to be a bargain. 

Liverpool are yet to concede a goal in the No21’s three Premier League starts this term. 

The left-footed flyer has faced Norwich, Burnley and Crystal Palace and he was not specifically targeted by any of their attackers.

In fact, if you split the penalty box in half, it shows the opposition have almost taken an equal amount of shots from each side — there is no bullseye on the 12-cap international’s back.

Defensively, he has been solid but it is offensively where he has really caught the eye.

A creative menace

Tsimikas ranks ninth in the Premier League for chances created — averaging 2.97 per 90 minutes so far this season. 

Granted, the sample size is not the largest but it does highlight just how effective he is down that left flank.

It may sound simple, but getting the ball into the penalty area is one of the hardest things to do in football. You have to know when to play the pass and when to hit the ball into a certain zone. 

You also have to take on the responsibility of potentially wasting possession. Some players shy away from that but Tsimikas has not — as shown in his pass map, he is getting the ball into good areas on a regular basis. 

Production levels

The fear with backups is always that they will struggle to replicate what the starter brings to the team. 

If they are not able to hit certain numbers, the team suffers. If this happens, the understudies are relegated to only being trusted when there is an injury — it is a situation no team wants to find themselves in.

With Tsimikas, there is no drop-off. 

When compared with Robertson, he averages fewer passes per 90 minutes (40.22, compared with the 27-year-old’s 57.78) but apart from that, Tsimikas more than holds his own in terms of output. 

He creates a high number of chances for a full-back and is not afraid to put in crosses. 

These are not just aimless balls driven into the area either — they seem to find team-mates, as evidenced by his expected assists average of 0.19 per 90. 

If these sorts of performances become the norm, Klopp might have to rethink whether he has a starting left-back and a back-up, or two potential starters in his squad.