Martin Kelly praises Liverpool player who was a ‘massive threat’ off the bench against Arsenal

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Liverpool earned a good point against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

It was not an especially convincing display from the Reds, but they came from behind twice to get themselves a handy looking draw.

Mohamed Salah was, as he so often is, the hero for Liverpool. The Egyptian struck late to maintain the Reds unbeaten away record in the Premier League this season.

Virgil van Dijk got the other goal, the captain heading home an equaliser in the first-half.

Both Salah and Van Dijk were picked from the start by Arne Slot and both had the desired impact.

But with Liverpool struggling to create chances against Arsenal, Slot soon looked to his bench in the second-half. There, he found Kostas Tsimikas ready to come on and make an impressive impact.

Martin Kelly hails Kostas Tsimikas impact

Tsimikas has been in good form for Liverpool. The Greek was named man of the match for his performance against RB Leipzig on Wednesday.

Nevertheless, it had been reported on Friday that Andy Robertson would come back in to start against Arsenal.

In hindsight, that was perhaps the wrong decision from Slot.

Liverpool fans slammed Robertson for his display at Arsenal, with the Scot struggling up against Bukayo Saka.

READ MORE: Jamie Carragher blown away by ‘fantastic’ Liverpool player’s display against Arsenal

Robertson improved, but Tsimikas’ 63rd minute introduction was necessary. And speaking to LFCTV after the game, former Liverpool full-back Martin Kelly praised the 28-year-old’s impact.

“The subs that we made made a real impact,” said Kelly. “Tsimikas is going from strength to strength every times he comes on, especially in possession.

“I think he was a massive threat going forward along that side with Gakpo. It was really good to see.”

Kostas Tsimikas deserves Liverpool start

It’s pleasing to see that Tsimikas has been given the credit he deserves after his cameo against Arsenal.

And it wasn’t just Sunday that the Greece international has made a positive impact.

Michael Owen praised Tsimikas after the recent win over Crystal Palace and combined with the Leipzig and Arsenal turns, the left-back now deserves to be Liverpool’s starter.

Robertson’s qualities are still obvious, of course, but the 30-year-old has really struggled against Chelsea last week and Arsenal again this time.

It looks fairly certain that Tsimikas will be chosen again to play Brighton in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday. Do well from there, and he deserves to be the first-choice moving forward.