Not many Liverpool fans would have been expecting Kostas Tsimikas to start against Crystal Palace, but he during the first half at Selhurst Park.
The left-back was something of a surprise inclusion as in midweek. Tsimikas replaced usual first-choice option in the side, and made his presence felt as the Reds took the lead during the first half.
The Greek international produced a superb through-ball to find run into the penalty area from the left. The Dutchman then slid the ball to , who slotted the ball home beyond Dean Henderson to put Liverpool in control.
Making his first league start of the season, Tsimikas impressed both with his defensive efforts and going forward, with Liverpool legend praising his involvement in the Reds’ opener.
“Narrow fullback (Tsimikas) plays the pass for Gakpo, exactly why Slot wants his full backs narrow in the build up,” after the goal.
Explaining his changes ahead of the game, with Gakpo, Jota and also handed a start alongside Tsimikas, Slot told TNT Sports: “If I ask the players if they are fatigued, they will always tell me no.
“We’ve played a lot of games and Cody has done really well, Kostas has done really well, and Curtis, every time he comes in, did well.
“I think it’s also good for us to have more than only three midfielders, so let’s see today how Curtis is doing, and Cody and Kostas speaks for itself, I think they’ve done very good every time they’ve played.”
Liverpool.com says: Tsimikas certainly proved Slot’s faith in him right during the first half against Palace. There’s no doubt that Robertson is ahead of him in the pecking order, but the Greek showed there is very little drop in quality when he gets the chance.
It’s another sign of the players buying into what Slot has brought in since replacing Jurgen Klopp during the summer. The transition has been practically seamless so far.
