For what feels an eternity, Andy Robertson has been Liverpool’s undisputed first-choice left-back.
The indefatigable Scotsman was an integral cog in Jurgen Klopp’s counter-pressing machine, providing the vitality, ferocity and ingenuity wanted to thrive in one in all fashionable soccer’s most demanding techniques.
However the Klopp period is over. Arne Slot has made a record-breaking begin since inheriting the Anfield sizzling seat, notably bettering a bunch of gamers all through the Liverpool squad. Sadly, Robertson is not amongst them.
The 30-year-old was already slowing down come the top of Klopp’s time on Merseyside however he is struggled to adapt to Slot’s transient. Robertson’s underwhelming shows have opened the door for Kostas Tsimikas, the deputy who’s in search of a full-time place on the left-hand facet of the Liverpool defence.
However which left-back needs to be beginning for Slot’s Liverpool?
Robertson has remained Slot’s first-choice originally of his tenure. The previous Hull Metropolis defender has performed 670 minutes within the Premier League, with Tsimikas having performed a relatively meagre 229 minutes. Nevertheless, it is the Greek worldwide who has impressed defensively.
Tsimikas has at all times been a comparatively error-prone defender. There have been a number of events final season by which the 28-year-old sloppily gifted possession to the opposition in his personal half – fixtures towards Toulouse and Leicester Metropolis spring to thoughts – with the Reds usually punished for his lapses in focus.
However this season has been a unique story. Within the Premier League, it has been Tsimikas who has caught the attention along with his defensive contributions. He is at present averaging 4.62 tackles, 2.31 clearances, 1.15 interceptions and a 75% sort out success fee per 90 minutes, all whereas making zero errors resulting in an opposition shot in his six outings.
Robertson’s underlying numbers are considerably worse. He is averaging simply 1.22 tackles, 0.95 clearances, 0.41 interceptions and a sort out success fee of simply 53.8% within the Premier League. He is additionally profitable simply 25% of his aerial duels on common, with Tsimikas victorious in 50% of his battles within the air.
Years of high-intensity sprints and countless bombing up and down the left flank might effectively have taken their toll on Robertson, who has struggled to chop the identical commanding defensive determine as in earlier seasons when nipping into challenges and battling with opposition wingers.
Slot might not deploy his full-backs in the identical positions as Klopp as soon as did at Anfield, however he actually expects them to be assured in possession. The shift to a extra measured and managed strategy below the Dutchman has been noticeable.
Robertson has been concerningly lax in possession this season. Within the Premier League, the Scot is finishing fewer passes than Tsimikas (57.2 vs 69.2) per 90, whereas the accuracy of his distribution has additionally been much less constant than his fellow left-back (82.8% completion vs 86.1%).
Tsimikas has been extra correct in his brief, medium and long-range passing per 90, maybe one of many causes that the Greek defender has began the final two matches at house to Brighton & Hove Albion and within the 4-0 thumping of Bayer Leverkusen the place Liverpool had been prone to be pressed intensely in their very own half.
Robertson’s attacking affect has been waning over the previous yr. Trent Alexander-Arnold’s improvement as an inverted full-back restricted Robertson’s capability to take dangers within the last third on the finish of Klopp’s reign, as an alternative requiring him to sit down deeper and narrower.
In 2021/22, he supplied three objectives and 15 assists, backed up by ten assists the next marketing campaign. Final time period, he managed three strikes however simply two assists in all competitions, albeit accidents did influence his availability.
This season has been an analogous story. Robertson is but to register a aim contribution, averaging simply 1.89 progressive carries and 4.73 progressive passes per 90 within the Premier League. He is created a complete of ten possibilities however has an anticipated assists tally of simply 1.06, though it is price noting that Alexander-Arnold’s numbers additionally symbolize the lowered attacking significance of Liverpool’s full-backs below Slot.
Against this, Tsimikas is averaging 10.8 progressive passes and 1.92 progressive carries per 90 within the league. whereas additionally averaging extra pictures and pictures on course – albeit these efforts are coming from additional out than Robertson’s. He is additionally received a single help to his title, organising Virgil van Dijk towards Milan within the Champions League from a near-post nook.
Proper now, it is Tsimikas who most resembles the tireless attacking full-back that Robertson has lengthy been for the Reds.
Slot is lucky to have two left-backs able to acting at an especially excessive degree, even when it is an space of the pitch that Liverpool might want to reinforce over the subsequent few switch home windows. With video games coming thick and quick, the Dutchman has the chance to relaxation and rotate, which isn’t a luxurious to be sniffed at.
Nevertheless, on present kind, it is tough to look previous Tsimikas for a beginning spot in essentially the most high-profile video games. Robertson’s latest show at Arsenal towards the fleet-footed Bukayo Saka highlighted the problems which might be beginning to emerge in his recreation as he was given a tough trip by the England winger. Tsimikas appears to own an vitality missing in Robertson’s recreation proper now.
Nevertheless, that is to not write Liverpool’s left-back off. He wants time to adapt to Slot’s calls for after years of consolation below Klopp, with the position of the Reds’ full-backs much less outstanding and attention-grabbing below the previous Feyenoord boss.
