Jurgen Klopp Names Kostas Tsimikas at Left-Back for Liverpool vs Everton
The international break is finally over, but it brought the bad news of Andy Robertson’s shoulder injury which now requires surgery and will keep him out of the rest of 2023. Jurgen Klopp has no time to lament the loss of the left-back, though, as yet another early kick-off immediately follows an international break for Liverpool.
Alisson is back between the sticks for the Reds, while Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk and Kostas Tsimikas make up the back four. Tsimikas is making his first league start of the season in Robertson’s absence.
Midfield and Attack
In midfield, Alexis Mac Allister is entrusted once more in the No. 6 role and is joined by Dominik Szoboszlai and a fresh Ryan Gravenberch in his first Premier League start. To lead the attack, Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz join Mohamed Salah – the Egyptian will be aiming to make it for fourth consecutive league games at Anfield with a goal.
Cody Gakpo is not fit enough to take a place on the bench, but Darwin Nunez and Harvey Elliott are two options for Klopp this afternoon.
Liverpool Lineup
Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Gravenberch; Salah, Jota, Diaz
Substitutes: Kelleher, Gomez, Quansah, Matip, Scanlon, Endo, McConnell, Elliott, Nunez
Everton Lineup
Pickford; Young, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko; McNeil, Onana, Garner, Harrison; Doucoure; Calvert-Lewin
Substitutes: Virginia, Keane, Godfrey, Patterson, Gueye, Chermiti, Dobbin, Danjuma, Beto
Liverpool Look to Make it Four Wins in a Row at Anfield
Liverpool have been in great form since their return to Anfield in December 2020. They have won all three of their home games so far this season and will be looking to make it four wins in a row when they face Everton this afternoon.
Klopp will be hoping that Tsimikas can fill the void left by Robertson and help the Reds to another victory. The Greek defender has only made one appearance this season – in the Carabao Cup against Arsenal – but he has plenty of experience at the highest level and will be looking to prove his worth today.
It promises to be an exciting game between two Merseyside rivals. Liverpool will be looking to extend their unbeaten run against Everton to 17 games and maintain their perfect record at Anfield this season. With Klopp’s men in such good form and Tsimikas ready to step up in Robertson’s absence, they will be confident of getting the job done.