Having to choose between Kostas Tsimikas and Andy Robertson at left-back is not a problem, insists Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.
For the past three-and-a-half seasons, Scotland captain Robertson has been a virtual ever-present in the position for the Reds but an ankle ligament injury suffered in their pre-season friendly with Athletic Bilbao, has handed Tsimikas a long-awaited chance.
The Greek international joined Liverpool from Olympiakos for £11.75million last summer but was restricted to just two Premier League appearances in his debut season in England.
However, with Robertson still working on his fitness – although he made it on to the bench against Burnley – Tsimikas as already equalled his number of Premier League outings from last term, starting in both Klopp’s side’s victories so far.
The 25-year-old’s cross also set up Diogo Jota’s header for the opening goal against the Clarets and although he had to be replaced a minute before full-time by Joe Gomez after hurting his shoulder, he’ll take some shifting on this form.
Klopp was adamant that he welcomes the dilemma of choosing between the pair though and when asked by Stadium Astro, with a question posed by another of his former left-backs Jose Enrique, he said: “It’s not really a problem.
“In the last few years we had a problem that it was quite tricky to replace Robbo and I would say it’s not really possible as Robbo is a world-class player, an incredible player.
“It’s like he’s the full package as a defender and an attacker you wish for that position and he’s a leader in the team and all that kind of stuff."
He added: "Kostas, like Robbo before, needed some time to get used to all the different things we are asking left-backs for.
“Absolutely, in time, he got it so Kostas is in a good moment, he played well, set a goal up with a sensational cross so that’s no problem, that’s just great to have them both.
“For a manager it’s a problem when you don’t have a left-back. When you have two, that’s no problem.”
Liverpool welcome Chelsea to Anfield on Saturday as the Reds face their biggest test of the new Premier League season.
Robertson is expected to be in contention to start against Thomas Tuchel's side but Liverpool fans will not mind if Tsimikas retains his place given his recent showings.
