Liverpool have a sensible transfer decision to make in another summer of change
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SportFootballLiverpool FCLiverpool will need back-up for left-back Milos Kerkez next season after Andy Robertson confirmed his departure from the clubWith Andy Robertson’s Liverpool departure now confirmed, Arne Slot’s focus must soon turn to filling the void left by the modern-day Anfield legend.While the addition of Milos Kerkez last summer was the first stage of Liverpool’s left-back revamp, adding an able deputy to provide competition to the Hungarian will be equally as important this summer.Despite Robertson’s Liverpool exit feeling timely, the Scotland captain has still made 34 appearances this season, starting the historic Merseyside derby victory at Hill Dickinson and then keeping his place for last weekend's 3-1 home win over Crystal Palace, in which he scored his 14th goal for the club.Any replacement would need to match that level of trust that Reds boss Arne Slot evidently still has in Robertson.FOLLOW OUR LIVERPOOL FC FACEBOOK PAGE! All the latest news and analysis from Anfield on the Liverpool Echo's dedicated LFC Facebook pageA player already on Liverpool’s books who knows all about the role is Kostas Tsimikas.Speaking before the 2-1 win at Everton, Slot confirmed the player affectionately dubbed the 'Greek Scouser' would be returning to the club this summer.However, following an unsuccessful loan spell at Roma, doubts remain whether he’s the player to provide competition for Kerkez next season.Tsimikas has only started 11 games for Roma this season, completing 90 minutes just twice.
Most of his minutes have also come in a wing-back role - a position that doesn’t reflect the responsibilities required for his parent club.While his FA Cup-winning penalty and enthusiastic embrace of the city’s culture made him a likeable figure among Liverpool fans, his overall quality was questioned.The 29-year-old did play more than 1,700 minutes for the Reds in their title-winning campaign last season. However, his failure to dislodge permanently an at times struggling Robertson, may not bode well for providing a competitive alternative to Kerkez.Despite those reservations, though, assurances of his fit for the dressing room and history with the club may make the return a sensible one.With Slot also reiterating Liverpool’s 'sell to buy' policy in recent weeks, and with the need for reinvestment greater in other areas of the squad, the door could be reopened for Tsimikas.Choose Liverpool Echo as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.Liverpool FCKostas TsimikasAndy RobertsonArne Slot