Kostas Tsimikas is setting his sights on a role at Liverpool next season as Andy Robertson departs, with the left-back’s plans to earn a long-term future revealed.
Tsimikas is nearing the end of his season-long loan at AS Roma, with three games left to play in Serie A, having struggled to establish himself as first choice.
The Greek has played 25 times for Gian Piero Gasperini’s side but has only started 11 games and gone unused in three of the last four.
With Roma not intending to negotiate a permanent transfer, Tsimikas will instead rejoin Liverpool this summer – which is timely given Robertson has already announced he will leave when his contract expires.
According to The Athletic‘s Gregg Evans, Tsimikas wants to stay at Liverpool and is “targeting pre-season as the period to force his way back in.”
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Monday, August 4, 2025: Liverpool's Kostas Tsimikas during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Athletic Bilbao at Anfield. Liverpool won 4-1. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
He “wants to compete” with Milos Kerkez for the starting spot at left-back, with no expectation that he will be first choice.
Liverpool had looked into recalling Tsimikas in January, with Robertson considering a move to Tottenham, but Roma were reluctant to terminate his loan as they struggled to find a replacement.
Arne Slot, meanwhile, has already name-checked his No. 21 as a possible option for next season on multiple occasions – including as recently as last weekend.
“I wouldn’t use the words ‘big summer ahead’ because we don’t know exactly what’s going to happen,” Slot told Sky Sports.
“At this moment in time we know that Robbo and Mo are going to leave, but we also know that Kostas Tsimikas might come back.”
Why Kostas Tsimikas could stay at Liverpool next season
HONG KONG - Monday, July 21, 2025: Liverpool's Kostas Tsimikas (L) and Jeremie Frimpong during a team walk along the Avenue of Stars after the squad arrived at the Rosewood Hotel in Hong Kong ahead of the Hong Kong Football Festival 2025 pre-season tournament. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
While a number of players could view pre-season as a big opportunity due to many of Liverpool’s first-choice starters at the World Cup, it is not so straightforward for Tsimikas.
Hungary failed to qualify for the tournament and therefore Kerkez can be expected to report to the AXA Training Centre for day one of preparations for the new season.
However, Tsimikas was used at both left-back and centre-back prior to his move to Roma and that could be another option for Slot.
Tsimikas’ contract is set to expire in 2027 and it could be viewed as his last chance to secure a future at Liverpool.
But with their priorities in the summer market likely to be elsewhere, the 29-year-old could see it as a way to establish himself as one of the experienced heads in a new-look Liverpool squad.
The Big Debate
Is Kostas Tsimikas the right man to replace Andy Robertson?
With Robertson confirmed to leave and Tsimikas returning from a difficult loan at Roma, the Greek Scouser is targeting pre-season to fight for his place. At 29, he offers experience, but many wonder if a fresh signing is needed to support the younger Milos Kerkez.
Would you keep Tsimikas or sell and buy new? Let us know in the comments below!