Liverpool news: Whelan ‘wowed’ by ‘cheap’ Tsimkas – ‘where on earth does Edwards find them?’
Andy Robertson faces a genuine challenge for the Liverpool left-back spot from Konstantinos Tsimikas over the next 12 months.
That’s according to ex-Leeds United striker Noel Whelan, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about one of the least heralded members of Jurgen Klopp’s squad.
Tsimikas, 25, was handed a rare start for Jurgen Klopp’s side in Wednesday’s 2-1 FA Cup win over Norwich City, with 10 changes made from the starting XI that beat Chelsea in Sunday’s draining League Cup final.
Tsimikas played the full 90 minutes of the match as he once again proved the value of the club’s expert recruitment.
That was a point taken up by Whelan, who is consistently impressed by the team led by departing director of football Michael Edwards.
“You have to give Michael Edwards credit, it’s one success after another on the signings front,” he told Football Insider.
“It’s not just the big-money signings like Luis Diaz, [Virgil] Van Dijk, Alisson, Thiago and Diogo Jota.
“I’m really impressed by Tsimikas. Wow, he looks another gem and you think, ‘where on earth does Edwards find them, and get them so cheap’?
“Andy Robertson is the best left-back in the Premier League, for me, but no player can play every game and especially with Liverpool going for four trophies.
“They need top back-up, and they’ve got that now in Tsimikas. He’s excellent at crossing and on the overlap, and has the energy to play in Klopp’s system. He looks a top player who can challenge and push Robertson.”
Tsimikas joined Liverpool in the summer of 2020 from Olympiakos for a fee of around £9million.
He has made 26 appearances for the Reds, 19 of which have come this season spread across 1,307 minutes.
In other news, Liverpool have been hailed after agreeing terms on a landmark deal.