Gary Neville baffled by Liverpool’s Kostas Tsimikas in Brentford game

Gary Neville criticised Kostas Tsimikas during the latter stages of the first-half of Liverpool’s Premier League clash with Brentford, telling Sky Sports (broadcast on 2/1; 18:09) that he was not sure what he was doing when he tried to switch the play across his own back line and landed the Reds in bother.

Jurgen Klopp’s men went into half-time absolutely shellshocked at the Gtech Community Stadium. Brentford took a 2-0 lead into the break. But they put the ball into the back of the net four times.

Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images

Liverpool were calamitous at the back. But it is fair to say that they did not help themselves. Of course, much of the scrutiny will be focused on the high line the defence played which caused them all sorts of problems.

But they were also poor in possession. Tsimikas attempted to find Trent Alexander-Arnold with a switch of the play six minutes before the break. However, the pass was poor and allowed Brentford to get the ball into the box.

Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images

Tsimikas subsequently had to produce a brilliant header to stop the Bees doubling their lead. And Neville was baffled by the Greece international’s decision to try and find his fellow full-back.

“Correcting his earlier mistake because he played a hospital pass over to Trent Alexander-Arnold, not sure what he’s doing,” he told Sky Sports.

“Brentford are complaining about the handball and he just tries to switch the play. Rico Henry is in. And then they’re in a bit of trouble, they’ve got two men at the back post and he does well.”

The mistake came back to haunt Liverpool. Brentford had the ball in the net from the following corner. And while that goal was disallowed, it was not long before the lead was indeed doubled.

Every mistake gave Brentford belief. And it seemed to play an important role in the Bees being able to score a second goal before the break.

It was little surprise to see the 26-year-old taken off at half-time. Andy Robertson was one of three players to come on for the visitors, with Virgil van Dijk another who was replaced.

Tsimikas had actually had one of Liverpool’s best chances in the first-half. He was there after some outstanding work from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain inside the box. However, he was denied by David Raya.

It is fair to say that bringing Robertson on made a big difference to Liverpool. And with that, Tsimikas will feel that he blew a really good opportunity to impress.

Have something to tell us about this article?