The Reds have undergone a big period of transition behind the scenes, with Arne Slot coming in to replace Klopp.
Most of the key coaching staff have also been replaced, while Richard Hughes filling the empty sporting director’s job is one of a raft of changes at recruitment level.
As a result of all of that change, it was crucial that the Liverpool squad did not see a host of departures, too. The Reds lost three players who were out of contract, but that had been planned months in advance.
With the transfer window still very much open though, there remains a chance that we see the Anfield exit door get some use.
Kostas Tsimikas of Liverpool during a pre-season training session at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex on July 24, 2024 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Kostas Tsimikas jokes that he’s leaving Liverpool
One of the players who could find himself changing clubs later this summer is Kostas Tsimikas.
Having been demoted to third choice left-back towards the end of last season, there have been rumours that Tsimikas could leave Liverpool.
His chances of staying were perhaps given a boost on Thursday as Luke Chambers joined Wigan on-loan, but it remains unlikely that he’ll displace Andy Robertson as first choice under the new head coach.
Nevertheless, Tsimikas is still around for now and has headed on tour with the Reds to the USA. With Robertson injured, he’ll likely start tomorrow’s match against Real Betis.
And ahead of that game, Betis’ official X account posted a reunion between Tsimikas and recently departed Liverpool goalkeeper Adrian.
In a funny twist of fate, Adrian’s first game after leaving the Reds is against them. The 37-year-old was a popular figure at the AXA Training Centre and Betis filmed him meeting up with Tsimikas ahead of the game.
“Transfer market, Fabrizio Romano!” laughs Adrian as he delves into a bag to fetch a ‘Tsimikas 21’ Real Betis shirt and had it to his former teammate.
“Oh, wow wow wow!” smiles the Greek. “Guys, sorry, is nobody here to defend? I’m leaving!” Posing with Adrian while holding the shirt, Tsimikas jokingly thanks the goalie as his ‘agent’
“You didn’t see this one coming,” declares the caption, tagging in transfer expert Romano. Very funny, guys.
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Mohamed Salah gets Adrian treatment
In some ways, this could almost be seen as ever so slightly inappropriate from Adrian. It is of course just a joke between friends, but perhaps there was no need to post it up on the official Betis account.
With speculation surrounding Tsimikas’ future, it could quite easily be taken a slightly different way by Liverpool. In that respect, perhaps it overstepped a mark.
Nevertheless, Tsimikas was not the only one to receive the Adrian treatment. The Spaniard also posed with Mohamed Salah and a ‘M. Salah 11’ Betis top.
Salah is not likely to be leaving Liverpool this summer, though, whereas Tsimikas may do.
All fun and games of course, but it may end up looking slightly silly if the Greece international does end up leaving, which he still well might.
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