Steve McManaman accuses Kostas Tsimikas of being ‘asleep’ and at fault for Toulouse’s first goal… as Liverpool left-back struggled in defeat and was taken off at half-time

Steve McManaman believes that Kostas Tsimikas lost his concentration at a pivotal moment and was at fault for Liverpool conceding against Toulouse. 

Liverpool’s deputy left-back dithered on the ball in his own half and was tackled by Aron Donnum, who scampered into the box and scored via a deflection off Jarell Quansah. 

It put Liverpool 1-0 down nearing half-time in a Europa League game which they eventually lost 3-2. 

Tsimikas has started four out of six games since usual left-back Andy Robertson was injured playing for Scotland against Spain in a Euro 2024 qualifier in October. 

While Joe Gomez and Luke Chambers have also been handed opportunities at left-back, Tsimikas is generally trusted, but McManaman highlighted his silly error against Toulouse. 

He told TNT Sports: ‘It was poor from Tsimikas, just fell asleep and allowed the opposition to get into the game. 

The Liverpool legend said the left-back was ‘asleep’ in a ‘poor’ lapse of concentration 

‘Caiomhin Kelleher has no chance with the deflection, flies off Jarell Quansah’s leg into the net.

‘A very unlikely lead for the home side, and not a good look at all from the Liverpool left-back.

‘Really disappointing play.’ 

Robertson has been quoted a timescale of recovery that would take him until around Christmas, meaning Liverpool’s understudy is undergoing the rigours of consistent football for the first time in his Reds career.  

Liverpool struggled to find their usual flow against Toulouse, who in fairness put in a strong performance in a ferocious atmosphere. 

Klopp rung the changes at half-time, with Tsimikas one of three players coming off, but his side ultimately lost 3-2 after a late VAR controversy ruled out Quansah’s goal. 

The ball was judged to have come off Alexis Mac Allister’s arm in the build-up and so Quansah’s stoppage-time leveller was scrubbed off.