Andoni Iraola’s arrival at Anfield may signal a fresh start for forgotten Liverpool players
Kostas Tsimikas of A.S. Roma warms up before the match on the 32nd day of the Serie A Championship between A.S. Roma and Pisa S.C. 1909 at the Olympic Stadium on April 10, 2026, in Rome, Italy
Kostas Tsimikas may still have a future at Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)
View 3 Images
Andoni Iraola’s appointment could hand Kostas Tsimikas a new start at Liverpool. Iraola was appointed as the Reds’ new head coach earlier this month, succeeding the sacked Arne Slot off the back of a disappointing season.
Iraola’s arrival will allow several Liverpool players the opportunity to force their way back into the club’s first team plans. The 43-year-old was widely praised throughout his three-year stint with Bournemouth for developing players, having allowed the likes of Dean Huijsen, Antoine Semenyo and Eli Junior Kroupi to flourish.
While there is no doubt that Iraola has various ready-made superstars already at his disposal, the new manager’s appointment can also bring the best out of some of the Reds’ forgotten gems. The Basque has already given such players hope of being offered a clean slate, potentially giving them a way to fight their way back into contention.
*FOLLOW OUR LIVERPOOL FC FACEBOOK PAGE!All the latest news and analysis from Anfield on the Liverpool Echo's dedicated LFC Facebook page*
"For me, and I will tell them, [they] are all new signings," he said after taking charge. "For me, you are all new signings and I think we have a lot of quality in our squad, and [I'm] really looking forward to working with them."
Those words will be music to Tsimikas’ ears, having spent last season out on loan with Roma. The 30-year-old made 25 appearances, of which only 11 were starts, and he only completed 90 minutes just twice.
Most of his minutes also came in a wing-back role - a position that doesn’t reflect the responsibilities required at Anfield. However, the Greek international still presents a solid back-up option, a role he played effectively for Liverpool for five seasons prior to his loan stint.
Andoni Iraola the head coach / manager of Bournemouth after the Premier League match between Bournemouth and Manchester City
Andoni Iraola is giving players a fresh start(Image: (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images))
View 3 Images
While Iraola is likely to make former Bournemouth man Kerkez his first-choice full-back, the Hungary international needs competition for his place. There is a left-back spot up for grabs in the squad following Andy Robertson’s exit this summer, and the club is expected to use funds to address other areas of greater priority in the transfer window.
Tsimikas has another year left on his Liverpool contract and could therefore still be an important squad player under Iraola, just as he was under Jurgen Klopp. The defender played more than 1,700 minutes for the Reds in their title-winning campaign under Slot.
His FA Cup-winning penalty and enthusiastic embrace of the city’s culture made him a likeable figure among Liverpool fans. But his overall quality was questioned due to his failure to dislodge an at times struggling Robertson permanently, which may not bode well for providing a competitive alternative to Kerkez.
Despite those reservations, assurances of his fit for the dressing room and history with the club may make the return a sensible one. During his time with the Reds, Tsimikas even struck up a close friendship with one of the bigger dressing room egos in Mohamed Salah.
Mohamed Salah and Kostas Tsimikas
Salah and Tsimikas were close friends(Image: Getty Images)
View 3 Images
The defender in 2021 admitted he didn't mind not being a regular starter, as Liverpool are a family. He said: "My dream came true when I came to Liverpool. We are like a family. Whoever is playing, whoever is on the bench, we want the best for the team."
Perhaps it was this attitude that made Salah take a shine to Tsimikas, with the pair being described as best friends and being regularly seen together in training.
Tsimikas lifted the lid on his relationship with the now departed Egyptian, saying: "He is one of my best mates here. He was there for me to help me. He's a very big person, fantastic. One of the best people I have ever met in my life. We spend a lot of time at the training ground together."
Thousands of Liverpool fans upgraded their matchday last season. This is how they did it.
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Content Image
Content Image