Liverpool’s Kostas Tsimikas: A Summer Departure Looms as Arne Slot Reshapes His Squad

The summer of 2025 has brought with it sweeping changes at Liverpool Football Club, and few players have felt the impact more sharply than Kostas Tsimikas. The Greek left-back, who has been part of the Reds since 2020, now finds himself on the fringes of the squad as new manager Arne Slot makes bold decisions to restructure his team. With competition intensifying and younger options stepping forward, Tsimikas’s future at Anfield appears increasingly uncertain.

The strongest signal of his diminishing role came during Liverpool’s Community Shield clash against Crystal Palace at Wembley. Despite the game being an early-season opportunity for managers to test squad depth, Slot chose to leave Tsimikas completely out of the matchday squad. It was a decision that carried weight, not just because of the occasion, but because it underscored the manager’s vision of a new hierarchy at left-back.

For years, Tsimikas has been a trusted deputy to Andy Robertson, often stepping in during rotations or when the Scottish captain was sidelined through injury. The arrangement worked well under Jürgen Klopp, who valued Tsimikas’s consistency and commitment. But under Slot, things are different. The Dutchman has made it clear that his tactical setup requires full-backs who not only defend reliably but also provide aggressive attacking width — a style that seems to favor Liverpool’s new signing Milos Kerkez.

Kerkez, who joined from Bournemouth earlier this summer, has already begun to establish himself in Slot’s plans. The 21-year-old Hungarian defender was given a starting role at Wembley, further emphasizing the faith placed in him by the coaching staff. With Robertson still the established first-choice and Kerkez now emerging as a dynamic second option, Tsimikas has effectively slipped to third in the pecking order.

This sudden shift presents a major challenge for the 29-year-old. At this stage of his career, regular first-team football is crucial, both to maintain sharpness and to secure his spot in the Greek national team. Being confined to a peripheral role in Merseyside could harm not only his career trajectory but also his international aspirations.

Transfer speculation has already started to swirl around Tsimikas. Nottingham Forest have reportedly expressed interest in securing his services, viewing him as a valuable addition to their defensive lineup. With Forest aiming to consolidate their Premier League status and push higher up the table, the Greek international’s experience and adaptability could provide them with a much-needed boost.

From Liverpool’s perspective, allowing Tsimikas to leave might also make financial sense. Signed for around £12 million from Olympiacos in 2020, he has provided solid service, but his value has begun to decline due to age and limited appearances. Accepting a reasonable offer this summer would free up wages and generate funds that could be reinvested into other areas of the squad.

Arne Slot’s appointment has accelerated the need for such decisions. Unlike Klopp, Slot prefers a more structured tactical approach, one that demands technical precision and offensive contribution from his full-backs. While Tsimikas has shown flashes of quality, his skillset does not perfectly align with the new system, making his exit a logical step in the club’s rebuild.

For Tsimikas himself, leaving Liverpool may be the best option. Despite never fully cementing a starting role, he leaves behind a respectable legacy, contributing to cup runs and providing steady cover during crucial periods. A move to a club like Nottingham Forest, where he could compete for a starting role, would offer him the chance to play consistently at a high level and extend his Premier League journey.

As the transfer window heads toward its final weeks, the likelihood of Tsimikas’s departure grows stronger. His situation reflects the ruthless reality of elite football: no player, however reliable, is immune to changes in management and tactical direction. For Liverpool, this summer is about reshaping the squad for the Slot era. For Tsimikas, it may be about finding a new home where his talents are valued and utilized more regularly.

In the end, Kostas Tsimikas’s story at Liverpool looks set to close not with fanfare but with a quiet goodbye. Yet his next chapter could still be significant, both for his career and for whichever club is fortunate enough to secure his experience and determination.