According to a recent report by the Greek news outlet SDNA, Liverpool are keeping a close eye on Olympiakos left-back Konstantinos Tsimikas ahead of a potential move during the summer transfer period. It is believed that the Greek defender’s performances in the two UEFA Europa League games against Arsenal this season has caught the eye of Jurgen Klopp and his scouting department as they look to bring in a suitable back-up for Andrew Robertson in the off-season (via SDNA).
However, the same source has also mentioned that the Merseyside giants could face competition from Inter Milan, Napoli, Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal and Leceister City among other clubs in pursuit of the three-time Greek international this summer.
Tsimikas’ Recent Emergence In European Football
The 23-year-old has enjoyed an impressive campaign in the Greek Super League 1 after putting in a string of memorable displays from the left side of Pedro Martins’ defence. He has featured in 37 matches for the Greek giants this term and has seven assists to his name across all competitions which highlights how creative he can be going forward. However, Tsimikas is not a goal-threat as he is still waiting to net his first goal for his current employers.
The Thessaloniki-born defender has earned a lot of praise for his dazzling displays in Europe after averaging 2.8 tackles, 2.0 interceptions, 3.5 clearances, 1.7 key passes and 2.3 dribbles per game in the six UEFA Champions League matches he has been involved in this season (stats via whoscored). Tsimikas’ numbers prove that he has what it takes to perform consistently at the highest level of European football, so it could prove to be a shrewd move from Liverpool if they manage to land the Greek sensation before the start of the new campaign.
What Will The Greek International Bring To Anfield?
Tsimikas is one of the quickest players in the Greek first division and can use his pace to complete some penetrative dribbles down the left flank. He is also not afraid to whip in some inviting crosses into the opposition penalty box after averaging over two crosses per 90 minutes in the Champions League this season (stats via whoscored). The Olympiakos full-back works hard to make a few vital interceptions for his side and hardly gets beat when left isolated in a 1v1 footrace with the opposition out on the wide areas.
The Greek defensive ace has the makings of a future star but still has a lot to learn before he is ready to break into the world-class bracket someday. Tsimikas will undeniably be an ideal deputy to Andrew Robertson at Anfield if Klopp can lure him to the red half of Merseyside this summer. However, there are some concerns over whether he will be able to cope with the physical nature of Premier League football.
Either way, the pros outweigh the cons of signing him as he ticks all the right boxes in terms of what Klopp demands from his squad players. There is no doubt that Tsimikas will work hard on the training ground and give Robertson a run for his money in the race to secure a regular starting berth in the Liverpool first XI.
Furthermore, Tsimikas’s acquisition will not only increase the overall depth of the Reds squad but also provide Klopp with the freedom to be more flexible with his formations, tactics and team selections next season.
