David Lynch says Liverpool fans ‘probably’ won’t see Kostas Tsimikas come in between now and season’s end.
Tsimikas, an £11.75million summer signing, has only played 225 minutes in his debut season on Merseyside.
His season has, in fairness, been disrupted by enforced absences.
Tsimikas tested positive for Covid-19 in September and has subsequently missed 80 days of action with thigh and knee problems (via Transfermarkt).
Tsimikas overlooked for Villa clash
But last week seemed to present an opportunity for the Greek international, with Liverpool facing Aston Villa in between the two legs of their Champions League quarterfinal clash with Real Madrid.
As it transpired, first-choice left-back Andrew Robertson wasn’t rested. Instead, he played the full 90 minutes and Tsimikas watched on from the substitutes’ bench.
Lynch, speaking on Friday’s Blood Red podcast, suggested that that snub was telling.
Another player out in the cold at Anfield is January arrival Ben Davies. The £1.6million centre-back hasn’t played a single minute since joining from Preston North End.
‘Jurgen Klopp’s team for the remainder of the season picks itself’
“If there was ever a week where Kostas Tsimikas was going to come in at left-back, it was maybe for the Aston Villa game to give Robertson a rest ahead of the Real Madrid game,” Lynch said.
“The fact that didn’t happen suggests we’re probably not going to see him, we’re not going to see Ben Davies, these fringe players.
“I think the team for this one [Leeds] and probably for the remainder of the season picks itself.”
Unfortunately, Klopp isn’t in a position to be handing run-outs to frustrated players on the periphery.
Liverpool, the reigning champions, are scrapping for a top-four finish.
With seven games to go, the Reds are sat in sixth place, trailing West Ham, Chelsea and Leicester.
They are back in action on Monday night against Leeds United.