Liverpool appointed Andoni Iraola to replace Dutch manager Arne Slot after a disappointing campaign last season, in which they failed to win a single trophy and barely secured a spot in the UEFA Champions League.
In the summer, Mohamed Salah, Andrew Robertson, Ibrahima Konater, Curtis Jones and several other players left Anfield, which left Iraola with a squad that needed to be improved in multiple areas.
Liverpool did sign Jeremy Jacquet from Stade de Rennes, and Ronald Araujo came in on a season-long loan from Barcelona to provide more depth and strengthen their backline.
The signing of Jacquet and Araujo has helped improve the centre-back and right-back positions, but major concerns lie over the left-back position, as Liverpool failed to bring in a replacement for Andrew Robertson.
Currently, Milos Kerkez is considered to be the first-choice left-back, while Konstantinos Tsimikas and youngster Luke Chambers are available as backup options.
However, it is believed that Milos Kerkez and Konstantinos Tsimikas have failed to convince manager Andoni Iraola, and the Reds are seeking to sign a new left-back in January.
According to Pete O’Rourke (via Anfield Edition), Liverpool have no intention to offer a contract renewal to Konstantinos Tsimikas, and boss Andoni Iraola is unimpressed by his performances this season.
🥈 | @SportsPeteO: Liverpool have no plans to renew Kostas Tsimikas’ contract this summer, with Andoni Iraola unimpressed by the left back’s performances this season. https://t.co/cHDzFL9Rjn
— Anfield Edition | æ (@AnfieldEdition) November 9, 2026
Konstantinos Tsimikas arrived at Liverpool from Greek outfit Olympiacos for around £12M in 2020, and put pen to paper on a five-year deal with the club.
In 2023, he signed a contract extension which would keep him at the club until 2027, and with him in the final year of his contract, it seems that he will leave Anfield next summer as a free agent.
The 30-year-old has been in and out of the starting lineup this campaign, making 9 appearances in all competitions and contributing to three goals, but he has only started 1 game in the Premier League so far.
In Andoni Iarola’s system, the full-backs are expected to contribute both in attack and in defence, while maintaining a high work rate and the ability to make overlapping runs behind the wingers into the opposition box.
Konstantinos Tsimikas has been criticised for his recovery speed, defending against speedy wingers, and at times he has shown a tendency to switch off mentally when the opposition presses with high intensity.
Meanwhile, Milos Kerkez has played under Andoni Iraola at Bournemouth and understands his role in Iraola’s system, while possessing excellent recovery speed, crossing ability, and defending qualities.
Last term, Konstantinos Tsimikas was sent on loan to Italian side AS Roma, and it appears that this will be his final year at Liverpool.
In the event Tsimikas leaves next season, Andoni Iraola will want to sign a new left-back, and the Reds are keen on Brentford star El Hadji Malick Diouf amid competition from Chelsea.
With the ongoing international break, Andoni Iraola will have the opportunity to work with his full-backs and make the necessary adjustments to the team to make a stronger push to climb up the Premier League table.
