Nottingham Forest eye Liverpool defender as January loan exit looms
Nottingham Forest have emerged as a potential destination for Liverpool left back Kostas Tsimikas, with the Greece international set to return to Anfield following a frustrating loan spell in Italy. Reports from Il Messaggero indicate that Forest are closely monitoring the situation, sensing an opportunity to bolster their defensive options before the window closes.
Liverpool’s January business has followed a familiar pattern under Arne Slot, patience over impulse, with recruitment plans geared firmly towards the summer. Outgoings, however, remain a different matter, particularly when players sit firmly outside the manager’s plans.
Tsimikas future drifting away from Anfield
Tsimikas joined Roma on loan last summer in search of regular football after slipping down the pecking order at Liverpool. The arrival of Milos Kerkez for a sizeable fee reshaped the depth chart, leaving Tsimikas surplus to requirements. In Italy, matters failed to improve. Just 600 minutes across 15 appearances tells its own story, and confidence never followed opportunity.
Roma’s reluctance to rely on him was stark. Gian Piero Gasperini frequently opted for alternative solutions at left wing back, even turning to a naturally right footed player. That lack of trust eventually pushed Roma’s hierarchy to act. As reported in Italy, the club have moved to terminate the agreement early, a clear signal that the experiment has run its course.
From a Liverpool perspective, this is less surprise than disappointment. Tsimikas has been a reliable squad figure in previous seasons, often delivering when rotated in, but momentum matters, and his has evaporated.
Forest interest driven by tactical necessity
Forest’s interest is rooted in need rather than speculation. Their left back options have thinned considerably, and with Oleksandr Zinchenko poised for another loan move, cover has become urgent. Tsimikas offers Premier League experience, European pedigree and a profile that suits a side seeking balance rather than flair.
There is also the added incentive of European football. Forest’s unexpected place in the Europa League adds weight to their pitch, offering Tsimikas continental exposure without leaving England. As one source close to the situation suggested, “Forest can sell the idea of stability and opportunity, something Tsimikas badly needs right now.”
For Liverpool, a domestic loan reduces risk. The club retain control of the player while keeping him match sharp, a sensible holding pattern ahead of a likely permanent decision in the summer.
Contract situation points to summer exit
With a contract running until 2027, Liverpool are under no immediate pressure, yet the direction of travel is clear. Kerkez has slotted seamlessly into the rotation behind Andy Robertson, and Slot has shown little inclination to revisit old hierarchies.
Tsimikas, now 29, is entering a phase where minutes matter more than medals. Another half season on the sidelines would benefit no one. As noted in the Italian report, “once Tsimikas returns to Liverpool, he will not be short of suitors”, a telling line that suggests this story has further chapters to come.
A short term loan to Forest feels logical, low risk and potentially beneficial for all parties.
Our View – Anfield Index Analysis
From a Liverpool supporter’s perspective, this situation feels like the natural end of a cycle rather than a failure. Kostas Tsimikas has been a good servant to the club, dependable when called upon and always professional, but football moves quickly. With Arne Slot shaping the squad in his own image, sentiment cannot override structure.
A loan to Nottingham Forest makes sense. It keeps Tsimikas in the Premier League, maintains his value and avoids the optics of reintegrating a player who clearly sits outside the current plans. Supporters understand that depth players must evolve with the manager’s ideas, and right now Kerkez fits the tactical brief far more closely.
There is also a degree of respect owed to Tsimikas himself. At 29, he deserves to play regularly, not merely train. Forest can offer minutes and European football, which feels a fair platform for a player who has lifted major trophies at Liverpool but now seeks relevance again.
Looking ahead, most fans would accept a permanent sale in the summer if the right offer arrives. This is not about pushing a player out, it is about recognising that the squad has moved on. Liverpool under Slot are building with intent, clarity and patience, and difficult decisions like this are part of that evolution.
