What Kostas Tsimikas injury means for Liverpool transfer plans

Liverpool may need to change their transfer plans after Kostas Tsimikas reportedly broke his collarbone against Arsenal. Here's what could happen.

Jurgen Klopp believes Kostas Tsimikas has 'definitely' broken his collarbone. That's what he told Sky Sports after Liverpool's 1-1 draw against Arsenal on Saturday.

That creates a problem for Liverpool. The Reds went into this season with two senior left-backs - Tsimikas and Andy Robertson. Both are now out with serious problems (strangely, both around their shoulder, too).

The next-best option is Joe Gomez, who really shone when coming on for Tsimikas against Arsenal. But Gomez is also the next-best option at right-back behind Trent Alexander-Arnold. That's partocularly problematic because the Reds need Gomez at right-back for times when Alexander-Arnold moves into midfield - something that has become a powerful weapon.

He's also third-choice at centre-back now that Joel Matip is out, likely for the season. So now what? That's asking too much of Gomez - himself a player with a history of problematic injuries.

There is, however, a problem-solver around the corner - the January transfer window.

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Liverpool may now need to change their January transfer plans. Or at least, accelerate things.

The Reds have been consistently linked with left-sided centre-backs over the last year as they prepare for life after Virgil van Dijk. Those links jumped into overdrive after Matip's injury and now they may be the answer here, too.

Liverpool won't sign a left-back, after all. Both Tsimikas and Robertson will return this season, so any arrival would have no purpose by the end of the campaign.

But a left-sided centre-back? There's a long-term future there, as well as games at centre-back. Now there's an opportunity for them to fill in at left-back.

Goncalo Inacio is one who has been consistently linked with a move to Anfield. He's also a defender who is very solid with the ball at his feet - and likes to move forward with it. While he's not known to play left-back, perhaps he's a player Liverpool could use there temporarily?

That's the kind of signing that they'll now need to consider strongly. There are some massive games coming over January and February and no guarantee of a left-back being available. Simply bringing forward their 2024 plans is a clear answer to the problem.