It was all change at Liverpool over the summer. Jurgen Klopp, although it's safe to say he wasn't working on a shoestring budget, rarely broke the bank to bring in the players he admired the most – but that, evidenced by the arrivals of Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz, is no longer the case under Arne Slot's regime. That, however, did mean that a few players were on their way out the doors of Anfield.
Kostantinos Tsimikas, following the arrival of Milos Kerkez from Bournemouth, was a sacrificial lamb as he moved to Italy to join AS Roma on a temporary basis. Andy Robertson stayed to provide experienced cover for the Hungarian but has been relied upon more often than all parties initially expected, but having three out-and-out left-backs in the squad was deemed as overkill.
Under Gian Piero Gasperini's guidance, Roma – who finished fifth in Serie A last term – have made a terrific start to 2025/26, picking up eight wins from 11. The side from the Italian capital, too, have lost three of their outings and sit on the top of the table, level on points with Inter Milan.
A 47-cap Greece international, many assumed the experienced Tsimikas would be a regular at Stadio Olimpico – but how has the 29-year-old actually fared on his temporary deal away from England's top flight? It's an interesting situation unfolding given Liverpool's problems surrounding their starting left-back and the Italian media have given their two pence on how Tsimikas has performed.
Kostas Tsimikas – Career Statistics
Club/Country
Liverpool
Olympiacos
Greece
Willem II
Esbjerg fB
AS Roma
How Has Tsimikas Fared Eight Matches into His AS Roma Loan?
With minutes on the red half of Merseyside looking scarce, Tsimikas – who registered 18 assists in 115 outings for Liverpool – always wanted a move to Roma after not featuring for Slot and his entourage in his parent club's two opening matches of the campaign. But it's not all gone swimmingly since his move.
His debut – a nine-minute cameo against Lazio in Serie A – was difficult to evaluate given its short length, but he did play 90 minutes in the Europa League three days later as Gasperini's men picked up a 2-1 win over OGC Nice.
Tsimikas' deliveries, combined with those of Angelino, were described as a 'massive luxury' by Roma's supporters. "Absolutely phenomenal ball in from Tsimikas. I mentioned this a few days ago already, but it's a massive luxury to have both Angelino and Tsimikas in that wing-back role," one wrote following his maiden assist.
Tsimikas_21
Things have quickly gone south, though, and he is now far down the pecking order of Roma's defenders. Even when Angelino has been absent through injury, Roma's wily boss in Gasperini opted to move Wesley from the centre of the back line to the left. Italian media outlets, too, have spoken about his tricky situation.
"Fast forward a few months and there have been too many mistakes, some anonymous performances, pushing the ex-Liverpool man further and further down the pecking order," said Football Italia. "What we can confirm is that Roma have absolutely no regrets that their agreement with Liverpool was a dry loan, without any guarantees or obligations to make it a permanent transfer."
Of the last eight matches, he has played just three of those – and, in each of them, the former Willem II and Olympiacos ace has been substituted off.
Elsewhere, Tuttomercatoweb journalist Andrea Losapio has claimed that Tsimikas could return to Liverpool's stomping ground, Anfield, soon (albeit not in January) unless he produces a turnaround in form in weeks to come. "The Greek defender, who arrived at the end of August, was acquired from Liverpool on a dry loan until June 30, 2026.
"But his continued tenure seems unlikely unless there's a clear turnaround in the coming weeks. A stay until the end of the season is likely, however, given his role as Angelino's deputy."
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Kerkez, Robertson and Tsimikas: The Latter's Anfield Future
tsimikas roma
The reason why Tsimikas completed his England-to-Italy switch in the first place was because he was given zero assurances over minutes in the former – but could that have changed amid Robertson's contract coming to an end in the summer of 2026 and Kerkez's subpar form since moving in a deal worth in the region of £40 million.
Robertson, who is the vice-captain under Slot's regime, has recently spoken about the possibility of moving onto pastures new nine years on from his arrival. "Whatever happens will happen behind closed doors, I'm relaxed about the whole situation. If it is my last year, then it's my last year. If it's not, so be it.
"I had a bit of a stressful summer in terms of decisions. I’ve said to myself, ‘just try and enjoy the next few months’ and then, obviously it will start probably taking over my life.”
Should Robertson leave, which is certainly on the cards, it would leave the door ajar for Tsimikas to worm his way back into Slot's plans – irrespective of whether that would be in the form of a deputy or as their starting left-back. The latter would be a surprise, however, given he left in search of additional minutes.
With Kerkez, 20, still a young player and attempting to adapt to his new surroundings on Merseyside, there is every chance he settles to become a reliable starter for Liverpool on the left-hand side of their back four. That's despite concerns over his start to life – and Tsimikas could offer him support from the bench.
All statistics per Transfermarkt – correct as of 21/11/2025