Kerkez v Robertson: Clear WINNER emerges in head-to-head left-back battle | OneFootball

Arne Slot’s recent decision to start Kostas Tsimikas over Andy Robertson has made waves in the Liverpool camp.

Robertson’s form this season hasn’t warranted keeping his place in the starting XI, but the decision to test out a run of games with Tsimikas starting in the team is a momentous decision given Robertson is a mainstay of Liverpool’s most successful team since the 1980s.

In this morning’s press conference, head coach Arne Slot supported Tsimikas’s quality and the need for rotation.

“I think my lineups tell you what I think about [starting Tsimikas]. I think we have two very good full-backs and we play many, many many, games… it's also a position where a lot of effort is being asked,” the Dutchman said.

“So if you look at the players that have played most games it's most about our centre backs and they don't run the most, if you compare that to full-backs or to midfielders or to wingers, so there are multiple reasons why our full-backs or midfielders are sometimes rotated.

“But definitely also has to do with the quality of the players and the difference, at least in my opinion, between the quality of these players. So for me I have two very good left full-backs and [Robertson] has started a lot, Kostas has started a few times, so let's see who starts.”

The ‘dropping’ of Robertson comes particularly after his difficulties against Bukayo Saka in the recent 2-2 draw with Arsenal, as well as his overall struggles this season. Because of this, there have been significant links between Liverpool and Bournemouth left-back Milos Kerkez.