Richard Hughes can solve Liverpool problem and make Arne Slot £19 million in the process

Diogo Jota, Joel Matip and Thiago Alcantara took up their respective berths behind Liverpool’s substitute bench.

With the trio unavailable for the Reds’ encounter against Tottenham Hotspurs, they watched on close to the action with their team-mates.

So too did third-choice goalkeeper Adrian - a familiar position for him over the past few years - along with Jayden Danns. The youngster was on standby had one of the forwards suffered a setback in the warm-up.

And joining the pair of the players not restricted to the treatment table was Kostas Tsimikas. Despite being fit, the left-back was surplus to requirements as the Reds’ delivered a 4-2 victory in Jurgen Klopp’s penultimate Anfield fixture. Given that Liverpool’s casualty list has reduced significantly of late, Klopp had to leave a senior player out of his match-day squad.

The fit-again Conor Bradley was given an immediate return as right-back deputy for Trent Alexander-Arnold. Meanwhile, Stefan Bajcetic was given a role in reserve after his lengthy injury problems and indeed made a first cameo since September.

As a result, Tsimikas was the unlucky figure to be omitted. It’s never an easy decision. But for the second time in recent weeks, it was the Greece international been left out when there were decisions to make in regards to substitutes. He was excluded from the 1-0 defeat by Crystal Palace last month.

On both occasions, Andy Robertson has started. That’s hardly recherche. The Scotland international has been bona-fide first choice on the left-hand side of defence for all but the first few months of his seven-year Liverpool career. Tsimikas has frequently served as an auxiliary since joining from Olympiacos in 2020. However, he appears to have also slipped behind Joe Gomez in the pecking order.

Gomez has rejuvenated himself on Merseyside this season, primarily featuring as a full-back. During a period in December and January, when Robertson and Tsimikas were simultaneously recovering from shoulder and collarbone injuries, Gomez stepped up with aplomb. Robertson has won his customary spot back, but Tsimikas has struggled.

Since coming back from his setback in February, Tsimikas has made only seven appearances - and limited to two starts. His last opportunity from the outset came in a 3-0 Europa League quarter-final first-leg loss against Atalanta and he was withdrawn at half-time.

Indeed, he finds himself in a curious position. And with the summer transfer window around the corner, perhaps Tsimikas’ future is uncertain. Despite signing a new long-term contract a month into the 2023-24 campaign, he now finds himself on the periphery of Klopp’s squad. Granted, Klopp is departing in a matter of weeks and Arne Slot will take over, offering a new opportunity. However, in truth, there is scant chance that Tsimikas will usurp Robertson for the full-back place.

Robertson may not hold claim to being the best left-back in the world anymore but his recent performance in an injury-ravaged season has underlined his quality and thrust he offers Liverpool. Tsimikas, meanwhile, turns 28 in a matter of days and the likelihood of him ever becoming No.1 is improbable.

Michael Edwards was responsible for bringing both Robertson and Tsimikas to the club. And along with incoming sporting director Richard Hughes, Fenway Sports Group’s CEO of football will soon be required to unearth another candidate to fulfil the role. As things stand, there is no obvious successor to Robertson.

Owen Beck has done well during his loan spell at Dundee, notching two goals and four assists in 28 appearances. Yet he turns 22 in August and time is running out if he is to display he can cut it in the Premier League. Luke Chambers thrived at Wigan Athletic in the second half of the campaign and is highly rated. There is still the possibility that the England under-20 will end up in central defence, though, having fluctuated between both positions at the DW Stadium.

It’s why it won’t be a surprise if Liverpool are in the market for a left-back either this summer or in the upcoming windows. One who has been linked is Bradley Locko. The 22-year-old has made 34 appearances for Brest this season, with the French club on track to finish third in Ligue 1 and qualify for the Champions League.

As for Tsimikas, he could feel it’s the right juncture to go and play regularly elsewhere. The likes of Juventus have been mentioned as potential suitors in the past. Per Transfermrkt, Tsimikas is valued at around £19 million - that would mean a profit of £7.25 million from what Liverpool paid four years ago and funds for Slot to bring in reinforcements.

Having scored the winning penalty in the FA Cup final victory over Chelsea at Wembley in 2022, as well as helping the club claim two Carabao Cups and finish runners-up in the Premier League and Champions League, Tsimikas has made his mark on Merseyside. Since the turn of the century, Tsimikas ranks ahead of predecessors including Paul Konchesky, Andrea Dossena, Jose Enrique, Fabio Aurelio and Alberto Moreno. But having slipped out of favour, it could be a hint that pastures new is on the horizon.