It has been a difficult first season at Liverpool for Kostas Tsimikas.
The left-back has played just 226 minutes across all competitions so far this campaign. These have come in just six games, three of which were starts.
While he was surely aware that he was being signed as back-up to Andy Robertson, Tsimikas likely would have expected to play more than he has done.
There have been a series of reasons for his lack of action.
He had the worst possible start to life in England, as he contracted Covid-19 in September.
As soon as he came out of his quarantine, he picked up a thigh injury that kept him out until November.
A month after he recovered, Tsimikas picked up a knee injury that kept him out until late January. This meant that the Greek was unavailable for the busiest period of the season, where he likely would have played a few games.
All this, on top of having to endure Jurgen Klopp’s settling-in phase, has seen Tsimikas become the forgotten man at Anfield.
However, he looks set to feature much more heavily next season.
Tsimikas will benefit from van Dijk return
The key reason that RTK expects Kostas Tsimikas to play more next season is Virgil van Dijk’s return from injury.
Liverpool have had to play with a makeshift backline for the majority of this season, as we all know.
With no van Dijk, Joe Gomez or Joel Matip, Jurgen Klopp has relied on Fabinho, Jordan Henderson, Nat Phillips, Rhys Williams and Ozan Kabak to be his central defenders.
The lack of experience any of these have of playing at centre-back in the Premier League has meant that Liverpool needed stability with their fullbacks.
Andy Robertson has played more minutes than anybody else in the squad this season.
Jurgen Klopp simply had to play him at every opportunity as he has been practically the only experienced defender available.
Liverpool were never going to throw Tsimikas in beside Phillips and Kabak.
However, the 25-year-old could easily be thrown in alongside van Dijk and Gomez every now and again. He would be able to learn on the job in the knowledge that there are two world-class centre-backs there to cover any potential errors.
Robertson’s performances have clearly suffered recently. This is undoubtedly due to fatigue.
The fact of the matter is that the £11.7m Tsimikas (Transfermarkt) is a more-than-capable Premier League left-back. He just needs to learn his role to perfection.
So, whenever Robertson needs rest next season, Klopp can turn to his deputy without worrying about a drop-off.
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