Liverpool can make sensible early summer transfer decision after legend's exit
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Liverpool FC NewsFeaturesLiverpool FCAndy Robertson's departure from Liverpool has been confirmed, leaving Arne Slot facing a key decision over who will provide competition for Milos Kerkez, with Kostas Tsimikas set to return from his loan spell at RomaArne Slot has one eye on the summer(Image: Getty Images)With Andy Robertson's departure from Liverpool now official, Arne Slot's attention must shortly shift to filling the gap left by the modern-day Anfield icon.While the signing of Milos Kerkez last summer marked the opening phase of Liverpool's left-back overhaul, recruiting a capable understudy to offer competition to the Hungarian will prove just as crucial this summer.Although Robertson's exit from Liverpool feels well-timed, the Scotland captain has still featured 34 times this campaign, starting the historic Merseyside derby triumph at the Hill Dickinson before retaining his place for last weekend's 3-1 home victory over Crystal Palace, in which he netted his 14th goal for the club.READ MORE: Luis Diaz and Mikel Arteta just showed Arne Slot what he needs at Liverpool nextREAD MORE: Liverpool injury latest and possible return dates before Man Utd including Mo Salah and AlissonAny successor would need to replicate that degree of confidence that Reds manager Arne Slot clearly continues to place in Robertson.One player already at Liverpool who understands the role inside out is Kostas Tsimikas.Speaking ahead of the 2-1 victory at Everton, Slot confirmed the player fondly nicknamed the 'Greek Scouser' would be returning to the club this summer.Kostas Tsimikas will return to Liverpool this summer(Image: Getty Images)Nevertheless, following an underwhelming loan stint at Roma, questions persist over whether he's the right player to challenge Kerkez next season.Tsimikas has featured in just 11 starts for Roma this season, completing the full 90 minutes on only two occasions.The majority of his playing time has also come in a wing-back role — a position that falls short of the demands placed upon him at his parent club.While his FA Cup-winning penalty and wholehearted embrace of the city's culture endeared him to Liverpool supporters, questions were raised regarding his overall ability.The 29-year-old did clock over 1,700 minutes for the Reds during their title-winning campaign last season.Yet his inability to permanently displace a sometimes unconvincing Robertson does little to inspire confidence in his capacity to provide genuine competition for Kerkez.Despite these reservations, assurances over his compatibility with the dressing room and his history with the club could make a return a pragmatic proposition.With Slot having reiterated Liverpool's 'sell to buy' philosophy in recent weeks, and given that reinvestment is more urgently required elsewhere within the squad, the door may well be reopened for Tsimikas.Choose Liverpool.com as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.Liverpool FCArne SlotTransfersKostas TsimikasAndy Robertson