"A worry for Klopp": Liverpool star that lost the ball 10 times at risk of being replaced

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp may be concerned about Kostas Tsimikas' performance in the 3-2 Europa League defeat to Toulouse.

With regular left-back Andy Robertson out till the New Year, Tsimikas has been presented with an opportunity to prove himself.

But, to widespread disappointment, the Greek international has not been able to seize his chance, with his poor performances in recent games.

Caught in possession by Toulouse star Aron Dønnum on Thursday evening, Tsimikas cheaply gave the ball away.

He was punished as the no.15 raced toward goal before his shot on goal was deflected past Liverpool goalkeeper Caoimhín Kelleher to open the scoring.

It wasn't close to being the only time the 27-year-old conceded possession, with Sofascore data showing he gave the ball away 10 times.

He wasn't the only wasteful player at the back with Joe Gomez giving the ball away 13 times.

Yet, it's Tsimikas who has been flamed by former Liverpool player, Steve Nicol, who ranted to ESPN about his performance.

He said: “I think that [Tsimikas] would be a worry for Klopp.

“Since Tsimikas came to the club he’s been trying to oust Robertson and has never had a run of games to prove it. And of course when Robertson gets injured all of a sudden it’s on Tsimikas now – ‘okay, there you go show us what you’ve got’ and actually from the very first game to this one here he has not responded in the right manner.

“He got substituted in the very first game at Anfield [against Everton] because he was poor and he cost Liverpool the first goal in this game, poor play again. I think for Klopp who right now is trying to sort out that back four, it’s not quite the back four of old. Without Robertson and having to play Tsimikas and him performing the way he is, yeah that would be a worry.

“Does he stick with Tsimikas, I don’t know does he switch [Joe] Gomez over there, what does he do? That would be my only concern.”

Nicol has a point

I'm not a fan of slamming a player after one bad performance but Tsimikas has not covered himself in glory since Robertson suffered a dislocated shoulder.

The injury required surgery and will not be back in action this year, leaving Klopp in a tricky situation.

The German will need to have faith that Tsimikas can find form and prove his doubters wrong especially with a monumental game coming up as the Reds travel to face Manchester City after the international break.

Reports claim Liverpool are "closely" monitoring Alphonso Davies at Bayern Munich and if were to join, you would imagine Tsimikas would be the one at most risk of being sold.