View: 90% Liverpool star throws spanner into Arne Slot transfer plans after what he did v Bayer Leverkusen
Arne Slot will have to rethink his Liverpool transfer plans after Kostas Tsimikas produced another dominant display in the 4-0 win against Bayer Leverkusen.
The 28-year-old has looked like a man on a mission at Anfield this season, following up a stellar display in the 2-1 win against Brighton with an even more dazzling performance in the Champions League on Tuesday [5 November].
Tsimikas has failed to mount a serious challenge to Andy Roberton throughout his four-year tenure on Merseyside, prompting the Reds to begin the search for a long-term successor for the Scotland captain.
However, he has seen increased game time under Slot this year and has not only outperformed his left-back competitor but now leaves the Liverpool boss with an important decision to make heading into the winter transfer window.
Kostas Tsimikas could become the undisputed left-back for Liverpool
The “Greek Scouser” is fondly known for his heroic 2022 FA Cup final-winning penalty against Chelsea and Liverpool fans could be forgiven for thinking this would be his only notable impact for the club.
While he arrived at Anfield relatively unknown, he was expected to provide healthy competition to the left-back position but his lackluster performances throughout the years have led to Robertson suffering under the demands of playing week in and week out under Jurgen Klopp.
This year, however, is the first time Tsimikas has entered the conversation to become a regular starter for the Reds and it is now hard to argue why Robertson should reclaim his place after a string of “baffling” outings.
Tsimikas has worked on strengthening his defensive output this season – he won 66 per cent of his duels, and made four interceptions and one tackle against Leverkusen [Sofascore].
His attacking contributions were also on par, as he completed 90 per cent of his passes, 50 per cent of his long balls, and 100 per cent of his dribbles.
The full-back continued his remarkable form against one of the most in-form sides in Europe, after arguably his most impressive outing in a Liverpool shirt against Brighton.
Wherein, he won 100 per cent of his duels with seven tackles and completed 91 per cent of his passes with three key passes and two big chances created.
Tsimikas is in the form of his life at Anfield but, he will turn 29 at the end of the season and with Robertson also turning 31, the long-term future of the position remains a cause for concern.
Regardless of what Slot does to rectify the problem in the coming transfer windows, Tsimikas must focus on the here and now, to ensure he retains his spot in the starting lineup ahead of a season-defining run of fixtures after the November international break.
In other Liverpool news, here’s how the Reds players rated against Bayer Leverkusen.
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