Arne Slot updates on Kostas Tsimikas injury and admits Andy Robertson may be playing too much for Liverpool

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Liverpool are slowly getting closer to having a full complement of players fit and available.

The Reds have had some niggling issues with injuries throughout the season so far, with a number of key players forced to miss games.

However, Arne Slot confirmed on Friday that Diogo Jota and Federico Chiesa are back. Along with Alisson Becker’s return in midweek, that is fantastic news.

Nevertheless, there are still problems within the Liverpool squad for Slot to deal with.

Defence is the main area of concern, with Ibrahima Konate, Conor Bradley and Kostas Tsimikas all out for the time being.

Konate and Bradley look unlikely to be back before the end of the year but Slot has given some more positive news on Tsimikas.

Arne Slot wary of overworking Andy Robertson

Tsimikas has done well under Slot so far this season, helping to maintain the level when Andy Robertson has needed resting.

But without the Greek to count upon, Robertson has had to play 90 minutes in each of the past five matches.

And speaking via liverpoolfc.com ahead of Saturday’s game with Fulham, Slot has admitted that he’s well aware of the ‘risk’ he’s taking by continually picking the 30-year-old.

“Rhythm is always a bit of a challenge, compared to not overplaying them, especially in these positions,” says the Dutchman. “So, for example, the left full-back position is a position where you run much more than the centre-back position. That is something you have to take into account.”

READ MORE: Liverpool’s predicted XI vs Fulham as Arne Slot sticks with ‘struggling’ player

“I am really happy with how Robbo is coping with this at the moment. But everybody is telling me, and I know, there are many, many, many games still to come in the upcoming month and January as well.

“So I am hoping that Kostas is back as soon as he can be because playing all these games in that position is… a risk is a bit much to say but you could ask too much from him [Robertson].”

When will Kostas Tsimikas be back?

Without Tsimikas around, Slot has little choice but to play Robertson again and again.

Academy left-back James Norris may be in for a surprise chance if Slot decides to change things up, but according to the Liverpool head coach, he should be able to call on Tsimikas soon enough.

“He has made the first positive step,” says Slot. “But when players are back on the grass, still [for] playing time sometimes there is a little bit of time in between that.

“But I cannot say exactly how long because not every player reacts in the same way.”

It doesn’t sound like Kostas is too far away, then. But it will be interesting to see who Slot picks in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday when Robertson inevitably gets his rest.