TSIMIKAS BENCHED FOR SAINTS CLASH

Greece left-back KostantinosTsimikaswas benched for the entire duration of the game as his Liverpool side thrashed Southampton at home to reduce the points deficit to leaders Chelsea on the Premier League log. The Greece national team star had started the last two Liverpool games, but he was back on the bench for the Saints clash following the return of first choice left-back Andy Robertson.

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Scotland international captain Robertson is the undisputed first choice left-back at Liverpool, while Greece player Tsimikas is his deputy and he failed to start the last two Liverpool games due to the hamstring injury picked up while he was on international duty with his country earlier this month.

Tsimikas was the left-back as Liverpool beat Arsenal at home in the league last weekend. The Reds ran out 4-0 winners with goals from the likes of Mohamed Salah, Japanese substitute Takumi Minamino, Diogo Jota and Sadio Mane. Robertson was missing for the Arsenal game due to the aforementioned injury. Greek international retained his left-back berth for the Champions League game with FC Porto on Wednesday, while Robertson was back on the Liverpool bench. Robertson came on for Tsimikas after 63 minutes as he made his return from injury. For the Porto game, Thiago Alcantara and Mohamed Salah scored in the second half to lead the Reds to a 2-0 victory.

Liverpool knew that they can move closer to leaders Chelsea in the race for the Premier League title and that was what happened as they tore Southampton to shreds at Anfield to record a second successive 4-0 league win at home. Diogo Jota (brace), Thiago Alcantara and Virgil Van Dijk were responsible for the goals as the Reds closed the gap on Chelsea to just one point.

Greece player Tsimikas has played ten times for Liverpool this season in all competitions including six league outings, two Champions League outings and two Carabao Cup outings.