'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Liverpool have announced their starting lineup for a friendly against Red Bull Salzburg tonight (July 27) and fans are perplexed by one player's absence. Greek defender Konstantinos Tsimikas is surprisingly missing from action against the Austrian side.
Tsimikas made an appearance in all three of their pre-season games before tonight, even starting in their 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace. However, his sudden absence has got the Reds supporters speculating if he's injured.
Head coach Jurgen Klopp has talked about some knocks in the squad during his pre-match press conference. However, he only confirmed Alisson and Diogo Jota's absence.
Some fans are presuming that Tsimikas may also not be fit, which could explain why he's missing from their squad for tonight's game.
Signed for around £12 million from Olympiacos in 2020, the Greece international had a strong last season, deputizing for first-choice left-back Andy Robertson. He made 26 appearances in all competitions, providing six assists.
Although Robertson seems indispensable at left-back, Tsimikas has been giving him a tough run for his money. He has had a promising run in the ongoing pre-season as well.
Reds fans took to Twitter to share their reactions to the Greek left-back's absence in the lineup.
Here are some of their reactions:
Liverpool aiming to start 2022-23 season with a trophy
Liverpool's fantastic 2021-22 campaign was met with a rather disappointing end. They won the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup but lost out on both the Premier League and Champions League titles by the narrowest of margins.
The Merseysiders lost the Premier League title to Manchester City by one point while losing the UCL title after a 1-0 defeat to Real Madrid in the final.
Missing a third consecutive opportunity to win a trophy would be unthinkable. Klopp's team are aiming to make up for their past defeats, having lost in the Community Shield in their last two appearances.
It's the only title that's missing from the German manager's trophy cabinet, having won every other possible trophy with the club over the last few years.
Liverpool will face rivals Manchester City in the Community Shield on July 30 at the King Power Stadium.
Winning it would also be a huge boost ahead of the 2022-23 Premier League campaign. Liverpool begin their league campaign with an away clash against newly promoted Fulham on August 6.
