Liverpool haven’t received widespread praise for their performances under Andoni Iraola this season, but make no mistake, the Spaniard is turning the Reds into a serious team again.
Against Brentford and Villarreal in recent days, Liverpool have come back from a deficit to claim a point, keeping up with the front pack in the Premier League and maintaining their perfect start to the Champions League.
Against Villarreal on Tuesday, the Reds put in a brilliant attacking display but their defensive shortcomings were exposed, with Kostas Tsimikas at the epicenter in an injured first half.
Kostas Tsimikas vs Villarreal
“Tsimikas will be very lucky to come on in the second half,” said the Greek left-back after his ragged run against his Spanish rivals.
Ironically, his passing helped Liverpool on their way after the break, but his obvious skill as a playmaker doesn’t outweigh the defensive flaws that have regularly plagued the Reds.
Tsimikas has only been a bit of a fixture for Liverpool, but after being on loan from the club last season, surely had to be sold this summer, with Liverpool looking for a new left-back to compete with Milos Kerkez, who has been poor since joining the club from Bournemouth in 2025 for £40m.
FSG may consider this a stopgap solution. After all, the 30-year-old knows Anfield like the back of his hand and sweeping changes in the summer could have prevented a big-money move for a wide defender who could challenge Kerkez for a starting spot in Iraola’s squad.
Kostas Tsimikas in the Premier League | ||
|---|---|---|
The season | Programs (starting) | helps |
26/27 | 2 (1) | 0 |
24/25 | 18 (9) | 1 |
23/24 | 13 (8) | 3 |
22/23 | 20 (9) | 4 |
21/22 | 13 (9) | 2 |
20/21 | 2 (0) | 0 |
However, Tsimikas is due in 2027, and he is not alone. Liverpool must shave the hairs that have prevented Iraola from building a squad that can return to promotion.
Liverpool need to sell big wages
Liverpool have spent a fortune this summer, but it still feels like an unbalanced squad that is not ready to challenge the likes of Arsenal for the Premier League title. However, Iraola still manages a very talented group of players.
More will be needed next year. For example, Liverpool didn’t replace Mohamed Salah with a right winger this summer; but nevertheless, Federico Chiesa is set to join Tsimikas in the bin in 2027.
It’s a real shame that the Italian striker hasn’t been able to make a mark at Anfield. In 2024, he was Arne Slott’s only summer signing after replacing Jurgen Klopp at the helm. A £12million arrival from Juventus flattered to deceive that year, but the Reds still went on to lift the Premier League title.
Chiesa has not started a game since last season. In fact, now in his third campaign on Merseyside, he has started just twice in the Premier League and it is becoming increasingly clear that Chiesa must be sold, freeing up room and resources to add an elite right-back to complete Iraola’s frontline.
Chiesa’s win against Bournemouth at the start of last season was something special. Pure passion at 28 years old.
He hasn’t actually played more than two minutes of football under Iraola’s wing, so who knows, maybe Chiesa will enjoy something of a rebirth in the coming months, but on evidence, it’s unlikely.
Ultimately, Chiesa’s injury problems and struggle to integrate on the field limited him to a sideline role at Anfield. He wasn’t the most expensive signing in the world, but is believed to be earning around £120,000-a-week, making him one of the higher earners at the club.
Chiesa will leave Liverpool as Premier League champions and a cult legend who has produced some great moments and endeared himself to the fans.
But make no mistake, he will go down as a flop for his national team as he never came close to the form that established him as one of Europe’s most talented strikers.