Liverpool ace Andy Robertson compares Kostas Tsimikas relationship with three other duos

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Liverpool defender Andrew Robertson has suggested that his relationship with fellow Reds left-back Kostas Tsimikas is similar to three other duos competing for the same positions at the club. The 27-year-old has successfully regained his place in Jurgen Klopp’s starting side in recent months after missing the start of the season with a troublesome ankle injury.

Robertson picked up the problem during a pre-season friendly against Athletic Bilbao at Anfield back in August and spent the rest of the month on the sidelines as a result.

He was replaced by Tsimikas for the start of the campaign, with the Greek defender playing a starring role in Liverpool’s opening-day win over Norwich City.

The 25-year-old endured a difficult start to life on Merseyside following his move from Olympiacos in the summer of 2020, struggling to hold down a regular place in the side throughout the entirety of last season.

However, Tsimikas has already featured on 11 occasions in all competitions this time around and Robertson is well aware that he now finds himself in a constant battle with his team-mate to retain his first-choice berth.

The Scottish defender is embracing the challenge, though, insisting that he enjoys a strong working relationship with Tsimikas and that he wants him to be successful at Liverpool.

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“Being at a club like Liverpool you expect to have competition all over the park, and we’ve got that,” Robertson told The Mirror.

“We’ll push each other, try and make each other better and compete against each other, but when the other one plays we want each other to do well.

“If he puts in a good performance it doesn’t make me any worse, and if I put in a good performance it doesn’t make him any worse. We’re still two good players.

“I think some people can get caught up in competition or start disliking one or the other, and it’s just crazy. We both want each other to do well.

“It’s the same with Jota and Firmino, the same with Thiago and Ox, and Hendo and Millie. We’ve got four good centre-backs.

“It’s the squad that’s the most important and our squad is really good at realising that.”

Robertson went on to hail the all-round quality of Tsimikas, who saw his development halted after testing positive for COVID-19 before picking up a serious injury upon his return to fitness last season.

“Last season he had Covid, which I think wiped him out for a few weeks, and then he had a nasty knee injury,” added Robertson.

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“So it was tough, but he was constantly working hard. The position we were in in terms of not having many options due to injuries meant that I ended up playing every game, but he was still working hard.

“He’s a really good player, Kostas. We get on well. He’s good to have about the changing room, he’s really lively.

“The Liverpool fans have been able to see him more this season, he started the season and has played a few games since.”

It remains to be seen whether Tsimikas will be involved for Liverpool against Newcastle United in their next Premier League outing at Anfield on Thursday evening.

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