There was no love lost between Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas as the Liverpool team-mates were involved in an X-rated clash on international duty
Liverpool left-backs Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas clashed in an X-rated argument on international duty.
The two Reds defenders headed off on international duty with their respective Scotland and Greece and were quickly re-acquainted as the two countries met in the Nations League.
Scotland travelled to Piraeus for the first leg of their Nations League play-off tie on Thursday, with Scotland attempting to remain in League A and avoid being replaced by Greece, who finished runner-up to England in League B Group 2.
Despite having less shots and possession, Scotland left with a 1-0 advantage thanks to Scott McTominay’s first-half penalty. And the tension of the tie told as club relationships were firmly put aside.
Late in the second-half, Robertson was talking to referee Tobias Stieler as VAR intervened to overturn a penalty that had been awarded to Greece. While the check was ongoing, the Scotland captain was animatedly talking to the referee.
However, Tsimikas took issue with Robertson’s protest as he appeared to say something to his Reds team-mate off camera, as Robertson replied by screwing his face up in anger and pointing to his captain’s armband.
Fans on X attempted to decipher what Robertson had said to his club team-mate, with one user trying his best to lip read, writing: “No love lost between Robertson and fellow Liverpool left-back Tsimikas. ‘Because I’m the f***ing captain, Kostas, outside.’”
A second added: “A canny be sure exactly what Robertson is shouting at Tsimikas, but it includes “…because am the f***ing captain…” While a third agreed, saying: “I thought the same live!”
Robertson made his 80th appearance for Scotland on Thursday night after turning 31 earlier this month. However, concerns about his age and a drop off in his performance have seen Liverpool speculated to be in the market for a new left-back, which is also a major worry for Tsimikas.
But the Scot remains confident of holding onto his spot at Anfield next season. “I think we’ve been linked with pretty much every left-back in the world,” he said.
“That comes with playing with one of the greatest clubs in the world. I look back on these eight years I’ve had as the starting left-back at that club and I feel a lot of pride.
“Your time comes and I don’t think it’s my time yet but even if we do bring someone in, then so be it. I’ll always back myself. Sure, this season there have been a couple of moments when I haven’t covered myself in glory but some things have been taken way out of proportion.
“I think the performance levels have been there for me. I think I’ve had a relatively good season but one thing people will say about me is that’s I’ve been pretty consistent, so when you make a couple of mistakes, then people can talk.
“That’s the world we live in, that’s the Premier League. Everyone has eyes on you, everyone has an opinion. It is what it is but I’m always confident in my ability. I’ve shown that right throughout my career but especially during my time at Liverpool.”