Liverpool’s Kostas Tsimikas boasts an incredible statistic as he leads off of Europe’s full-backs in assists. The left-back still can’t get in the Reds’ best XI.
Kostas Tsimikas only played five minutes on Saturday as Liverpool beat Southampton 3-1. Despite that severely limited number of minutes, he still managed to create two chances. In fact, he was unfortunate not to register an assist.
That won’t surprise many. Tsimikas has been brilliant this season, picking up three assists in the Premier League. He has another two in the Champions League, too – a magnificent return.
What makes it all the more remarkable is that Tsimikas isn’t even in Liverpool’s best XI. He’s a squad player, who plays because Andy Robertson can’t or shouldn’t.
Despite that role, the Greek left-back boasts a remarkable statistic. Per FBref, no full-back – left or right – has picked up more assists per 90 minutes than Tsimikas in the last 12 months (0.47).
That’s not just at Liverpool, not just in England, but across Europe’s top five leagues.
Kostas Tsimikas picks up assists
It now seems a long time ago that Tsimikas looked like a failed signing. He arrived over two years ago now but spent his debut campaign doing virtually nothing. Injuries – not just to the left-back but across the squad – limited him to around five minutes of Premier League football.
Now? Tsimikas earns rave reviews, labelled ‘brilliant’ earlier this season by one pundit, and boasts stats like this. He’s an integral part of the squad and one of the most talented full-backs around at the moment.
So it’s a bit of a shame for him that Robertson is the closest player to Tsimikas in this stat. He’s had an assist every 0.45 90s in the last 12 months – with more games played and against tougher opposition.
What’s undoubtedly true is that Liverpool boast a couple of sensational left-backs. Possibly two of the best we’ve ever seen at the club.
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