Sky Sports: Liverpool are ‘Expected’ to Sell Defender This Summer | OneFootball

Kostas Tsimikas Set for Anfield Exit as Liverpool Eye Left-Back Reinforcements

Kostas Tsimikas has long embodied what fans love in a squad player — passion, loyalty, and the occasional moment of magic. Since joining Liverpool in 2020, the ‘Greek Scouser’ has never nailed down a starting place, but that has not stopped him from becoming a beloved figure among supporters.

Now, according to Sky Sports‘ Lyall Thomas, the 28-year-old full-back “is expected to be moved on” this summer, as Liverpool prepare to refresh and evolve their defensive options ahead of the 2025/26 campaign.

Tsimikas’ future has come under scrutiny amid strong links to emerging talents such as Milos Kerkez, with the Anfield hierarchy reportedly targeting “a new left-back who can initially ‘share the workload’ with Robertson before eventually succeeding” him.

Other names under consideration include Antonee Robinson and Rayan Ait-Nouri, both regarded as “the type of attacking left-backs Liverpool are looking for”. The shift in strategy suggests the club is now actively planning for life beyond Robertson’s prime, and unfortunately for Tsimikas, that means his time on Merseyside may be up.

Photo: IMAGO

Playing Time Always at a Premium

Tsimikas has never hit double digits in Premier League starts across any of his five seasons in red — a statistic that paints a clear picture. Even with Andy Robertson enduring a mixed run of form, neither Jürgen Klopp nor his successor Arne Slot has seen Tsimikas as a long-term solution at left-back.

As Sky Sports notes, he “would need three [starts] from the next four games if he’s to break that unenviable sequence,” according to data from WhoScored. At 28, and turning 29 in a fortnight, it’s only natural for the Greek international to seek regular first-team football.

What’s more telling is the absence of noise from Tsimikas himself. Despite the lack of consistent opportunities, he’s remained respectful and grounded — no interviews agitating for a move, no social media antics. That sort of attitude will ensure any potential departure is met with nothing but goodwill.

FA Cup Glory Cemented His Place in Hearts

Tsimikas’ legacy at Anfield may not be defined by appearances, but rather by the appearance. His nerveless penalty against Chelsea in the 2022 FA Cup final brought silverware to the red half of Merseyside and solidified his cult status.

That one moment alone etched his name into Anfield folklore. As Sky put it, he seems assured of “‘cult hero’ status among Kopites for years to come”. It’s rare for a backup player to receive such warm affection, but then again, Tsimikas’ journey has always been unique.

Photo: IMAGO

Should he depart this summer, his name will be sung in the stands — not with regret, but with fondness and appreciation for a player who gave his all, even when he wasn’t the headline act.

Future Plans Point to Evolution Over Sentiment

With Arne Slot now firmly at the helm and fresh off delivering the Premier League title in his debut campaign, Liverpool’s plans to rejuvenate the squad reflect a club focused on sustained success.

Bringing in someone like Kerkez would not only add depth but also lay the foundation for the post-Robertson era. The fact that Tsimikas is “expected to be moved on” is no slight against him, but rather an unavoidable consequence of progress at the highest level.

As the summer window nears, Liverpool’s ambitions are clear: maintain the competitive edge, blend youth with experience, and ensure there’s no room for sentimentality when silverware is the goal.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

There’s something undeniably bittersweet about this. Tsimikas has never been the main man, but he’s our man. The sight of him racing down the wing, arms outstretched after that FA Cup winner — it’s etched in our memories. You can’t fake that kind of joy.

We’ve seen him make the most of every start, every minute. While others moaned or drifted, Tsimikas embraced the bench and still gave 100% when called upon. In the modern game, where ego often outweighs effort, that attitude is gold dust.

It’s understandable that Slot wants to build for the future, especially after the triumph of his first season. But some players, like Tsimikas, deserve a proper send-off. Not just a mention in the gossip columns, but a flag in the Kop and a song in his name.

If this is the end of the road for the Greek Scouser, we’ll remember him not for what he didn’t achieve, but for how he made us feel — like every player in red mattered.

Good luck, Kostas. You’ll always have a place at Anfield.