Kostas Tsimikas is expected to return to Liverpool after his season-long loan at AS Roma, with the Italian club claimed to be unimpressed after “too many mistakes.”
Tsimikas joined Roma on loan after it became clear he was third-choice left-back under Arne Slot, who brought in Milos Kerkez over the summer.
While the jury is out over Liverpool’s new long-term solution to the position, with Slot reverting to Andy Robertson in recent games, the club may still welcome Tsimikas back in the summer.
That comes with Roma reportedly not convinced by the Greek, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini already turning to other options.
Why Roma aren’t expected to keep Kostas Tsimikas
Football Italia explains that there have been “too many mistakes” and “some anonymous performances” which have seen Gasperini shift right-back Wesley to the left following long-term illness for Angelino.
Tsimikas had been considered competition for Angelino as Roma’s left wing-back, but instead he has started only three of eight games in his absence and been subbed off in each of those.
He has started only one of the last five games in Serie A and that saw him brought off at half-time in a 1-0 win over Sassuolo.
It is claimed that Roma have “absolutely no regrets” over a straight loan deal for Tsimikas, instead of agreeing a obligation-to-buy clause with Liverpool.
Tuttomercatoweb‘s Andrea Losapio writes that “his continued tenure seems unlikely unless there’s a clear turnaround in the coming weeks,” though it is unlikely that the loan will be terminated in January.
Roma are already targeting another left-back in Pisa’s Samuele Angori, who is expected to move in the summer rather than mid-season.
Where Tsimikas would stand if he returns to Liverpool
If Tsimikas were to rejoin Liverpool in the summer he could do so at a pivotal juncture, with Robertson yet to agree an extension to his contract.
The vice-captain’s deal will be up at the end of the campaign and he spoke candidly earlier this month over the possibility of leaving after nine years.
“Whatever happens will happen behind closed doors, I’m relaxed about the whole situation,” Robertson told reporters after the 3-0 loss to Man City.
“If it is my last year, then it’s my last year. If it’s not, then so be it.
“I had a bit of a stressful summer in terms of decisions. I’ve said to myself, ‘just try and enjoy the next few months’ and then, obviously it will start probably taking over my life.”
If Robertson were to leave, for whatever reason, Liverpool could look to Tsimikas – who will have 12 months left as of the summer – as experienced cover for Kerkez.
That, of course, also hinges on Kerkez settling as a reliable starter for the Premier League champions, with understandable concerns over his start to life at Anfield.