Liverpool have suffered a training injury blow in the lead-up to the Champions League clash with Real Madrid, according to an update from reliable journalist Paul Joyce
The Reds host the reigning European champions on Wednesday evening, in what promises to be a fascinating game at Anfield.
Madrid have several key players injured, including Vinicius Jr., and their form this season hasn’t always been convincing. For example, Barcelona beat them 4-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu in La Liga earlier in the campaign.
Liverpool aren’t without fitness problems either, however, with the likes of Alisson, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Harvey Elliott and Diogo Jota missing recently, among others.
Now, Joyce has taken to X to confirm that Kostas Tsimikas will miss the Champions League visit of Madrid through injury, acting as a blow for Arne Slot:
Our thoughts on Tsimikas’ injury for Liverpool…
Tsimikas may only have been a squad player during his time at Liverpool, but this season, he hasn’t arguably been the strongest option at left-back.
The Greek ace has often felt like the more in-form player out of himself and Andy Robertson, with the latter struggling to find his peak level, including at Southampton last weekend when he conceded a penalty.
Earlier in the campaign, Michael Owen described Tsimikas as “brilliant”, and he has one assist in the Champions League, providing quality at both ends of the pitch.
The 28-year-old’s injury is clearly a blow for Liverpool and it is important that Robertson is handled sensibly in his absence, with the Scot no longer able to play at a high level three times a week.
It may even make sense to bring Joe Gomez in at left-back for either the Madrid or Manchester City game, in order to keep Robertson fresh, but Slot hasn’t been one to overly rotate during his time in charge to date.
Getting Tsimikas back fit as soon as possible is vital, in terms of quality depth moving forward, but left-back is now a position that needs to be looked at as a priority at the end of this season.
