Jurgen Klopp admits 27-year-old Liverpool player had a really poor start to yesterday’s game

Add as preferred source on Google

Jurgen Klopp has admitted that Kostas Tsimikas had a ‘difficult’ start to yesterday’s win over Leicester City.

The Reds fell behind with barely two minutes on the clock. And, unfortunately, much of the blame for the goal could fairly be put on Tsimikas.

The Greek went down under minimal contact, leaving Liverpool open to a counter-attack which Kasey McAteer gleefully scored from.

From then on, Tsimikas seemed to struggle to shake the mistake out of his head. And speaking in his post-match press conference via liverpoolfc.com, Klopp acknowledged as much.

“Strikers fought so hard and scored then super-important goals, both Cody [Gakpo] and Diogo [Jota],” began the Reds boss. “Harvey [Elliott], what a work-rate. Curtis [Jones] on right-back. Ibou [Konate] using his full speed in their counter-attacks in the second half. Caoimhin [Kelleher], calm, composed. I’m not sure I forgot anybody.

“Kosti [Tsimikas], super-difficult start and was close, I think, to lose a little bit, but found a way back in the game – really good for him as well.

“Ryan [Gravenberch], in a game like this, being in the most-difficult area and constantly under pressure and finding always little solutions and solutions which help us a lot. Super signs tonight, I really like that a lot. The boys enjoyed playing it and you saw how they were pressing until the last second. They really enjoyed it and that’s cool.”

Tsimikas fails to back up new contract

We’ve got to be honest – we were not happy at all with Tsimikas in the first-half last night.

Somebody should perhaps have reminded the Greek that there was no VAR operating in the stadium. The way he went down under such light contact while facing his own goal, with little defensive support, was unforgivable.

Even with VAR, to go down like that would have been a risk. But without it, Tsimikas was needlessly putting his team in even more danger.

Ultimately, the goal meant little and the 27-year-old did improve throughout the game it must be said.

But nevertheless, it’s slightly worrying to see Kostas start another game so lethargically. He was poor in the opening exchanges of his last start – away at LASK in the Europa League – as well.

Having signed a new contract earlier in the week, the left-back is clearly here to stay. While that’s definitely a good thing, Tsimikas needs to do a little more when he steps in for Andy Robertson.

Now into his fourth season at Anfield, the Greece international is a senior player in the squad. Indeed from last night’s line-up, only Harvey Elliott, Caoimhin Kelleher and Curtis Jones have been at the club longer. His performances need to start reflecting that.