In Focus: Tsimikas pushing to steal Robbo’s starting spot

It has been full steam ahead for Andrew Robertson this season, with the flying Scotsman’s displays keeping Liverpool’s title pursuit firmly on track.

A standout performer in his fifth campaign at Anfield, the Glasgow native is at the peak of his powers right now — and the strong early-season showings of Kostas Tsimikas might be partly responsible.

As Jurgen Klopp prepares his side for this afternoon’s trip to Tottenham, we take a look at how the arrival of top-quality competition has spurred 27-year-old Robertson on to new heights this term.

Tsimikas joined Liverpool in August last year but was sidelined for most of the first half of the season, mainly due to thigh and knee issues.

This meant that Robertson’s understudy was effectively James Milner — the Swiss Army knife of the Reds’ squad, but by no means an out-and-out left-back.

As such, Robertson’s place in the side neverreally came under threat at any stage of the campaign, though he continued to perform to a high standard regardless.

For the opening fixture of this season however, Robertson was sidelined with an ankle problem, giving Tsimikas the opportunity to impress in a 3-0 win at Norwich.

The Greece international would really make his mark the following week though, creating four chances as Liverpool beat Burnley 2-0 at Anfield — including a sumptuous cross for Diogo Jota’s opening goal.

Robertson returned for the next game against Chelsea, but he will no doubt have been among those impressed by Tsimikas’ stand-in stint.