Arsenal star Bukayo Saka was once involved in a heavy collision with Liverpool left-back Konstantinos Tsimikas when the two rivals met at Anfield
07:58, 12 May 2025
Bukayo Saka despondent in Arsenal interview
Arsenal talisman Bukayo Saka had an apology for a LIverpool rival after the two sides previously clashed at Anfield(Image: @DAZN_CA/Twitter)
Greek left-back Konstantinos Tsimikas once suffered a nasty injury when Liverpool welcomed Arsenal to Anfield - prompting an apology from Gunners talisman Bukayo Saka.
Yesterday saw the latest Premier League chapter between the two rivals, as champions Liverpool were held 2-2 by second-placed Arsenal fighting to secure a Champions League place, in a battle notable for some home fans booing soon-to-exit Anfield star Trent Alexander-Arnold.
The last time they had clashed on Merseyside was back in December 2023. Back then, the roles were reversed as it was table-topping Arsenal who visited a Liverpool side hot on their heels in second, only for the Gunners to ultimately end the season empty-handed.
On that occasion, Mikel Arteta's men snatched an early lead with a four-minute strike from Gabriel Magalhaes, but Liverpool ace Mohamed Salah pulled it back to level pegging later that half.
Drama struck when a rough tackle by Saka led to an accidental collision between Tsimikas and his then gaffer Jurgen Klopp off the pitch, ending in a shoulder injury that forced the Greek footballer off. He was swiftly swapped for Joe Gomez and hospital tests confirmed his collarbone had snapped.
Jurgen Klopp went tumbling after Kostas Tsimikas collided into him during Liverpool's game against Arsenal
Jurgen Klopp went tumbling after Kostas Tsimikas collided into him during Liverpool's game against Arsenal(Image: Getty Images)
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On learning about Tsimikas' hospital trip post-match, England's Saka expressed his regret to Sky Sports, reports the Mirror.
Saka said: "I heard he has gone to hospital so obviously I want to apologise to him, I didn't mean it of course. For me it was a 50/50 and I have gone shoulder to shoulder with him."
He elaborated: "I didn't see it, but he must have taken a bad fall. I didn't see him go into Jurgen Klopp either. I was focused on running forward because I didn't think it was a foul. That's my take on it."
Yesterday the Gunners had to give a guard of honour to the league champions, who left them trailing by 15 points en route to clinching an historic 20th league title.
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If Arsenal clinch second place this season, they'll be making unwanted history as the first Premier League squad to nab the runner-up spot three times in a row twice.
As the 2024/25 season kicked off, bets were on Manchester City or Arsenal to take the crown, but it was Arne Slot's revitalised Reds that galloped to glory.
Before the match, Arsenal's star man Declan Rice - absent yesterday through injury - tipped his hat to the new kings of the country, conceding his team "fell short" in the title chase.
"We've obviously seen what they've done, massive credit to them, they've been the most consistent team throughout the season, performed to a really high standard and ability," said the England midfielder.
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"Cannot knock them, can't take anything away from them, everyone else fell short and in the end they were probably the strongest team in it."