Jürgen Klopp weighs-in on left-back battle at Liverpool this season
Jürgen Klopp weighs-in on left-back battle at Liverpool this season
Klopp stands behind Robertson in left-back battle
Liverpool boss Jürgen Klopp weighed in over the battle at left-back taking place at Anfield this season between Scottish captain Andrew Robertson and Greek international Konstantinos Tsimikas.
Both players have performed to a high standard this season, but Tsimikas has pushed Robertson for his place harder than many maybe would have expected; including Klopp himself.
But in quotes via Ben Dinnery, the German headmaster remains steadfast in his position that Robertson is unquestionably the first-choice option under him on the left flank of the Liverpool backline;
“[Tsimikas] is pushing but Robbo is Robbo. People forget how good he has been. Kostas is pushing him. I don’t doubt Robbo at all. We’re really happy with Kostas but Robbo is Robbo. An outstanding player.”
Tsimikas has featured ten times for Liverpool across all competitions this season, including two impressive European displays against both Atlético Madrid and FC Porto (both 2-0 wins), while he also completed all 90-minutes during the Reds’ 4-0 thrashing of Arsenal last weekend.
Kostas Tsimikas on Andy Robertson:
“Yeah, it’s very healthy competition. We give absolutely everything to play in the team. In my opinion, it’s very, very healthy; we help each other, we are very close to each other, if someone wants something he asks the other.” #awlive [lfc] pic.twitter.com/1zGDEghf1O
— Anfield Watch (@AnfieldWatch) November 26, 2021
Despite still sitting as the second choice behind the former Hull City defender, Tsimikas is still positive about his relationship with Robertson amid their positional rivalry
Reds boss comments on his mentor coming to the Premier League
Jürgen Klopp is easily one of the top managers in European football; both inside England’s borders and on the continent. But he may not have risen to this status without the guidance and influence of soon-to-be Manchester United interim boss Ralf Rangnick.
Klopp was one of a cadre of German managers that have credited Rangnick as a mentor; others on that list include Chelsea tactician Thomas Tuchel and managerial golden boy Julian Nagelsmann.
“Unfortunately a good coach is coming to England…” 😅
Jurgen Klopp gives his thoughts on Ralf Rangnick’s imminent arrival at #MUFC. 💭 pic.twitter.com/D98u8pw5fP
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) November 26, 2021
But for Klopp, Liverpool, and the rest of the Premier League, the “Godfather of Gegenpressing” rocking up on English shores is hardly what the club hierarchy this season would have wanted.
Still, the Premier League looks set to benefit from the arrival of yet another brilliant tactical and developmental mind in the grand scope of football.
