- Kostas Tsimikas suffered broken collarbone after collision with Bukayo Saka
- The Greek upended Jurgen Klopp in his technical area, who landed on his leg
- IAN LADYMAN: Mikel Arteta gets criticised for his touchline behaviour, but Arsenal are a team that reek of excellent coaching – It’s All Kicking Off
Richard Keys has blamed Jurgen Klopp for the broken collarbone suffered by Liverpool defender Kostas Tsimikas in Saturday night’s 1-1 draw with Arsenal.
Bukayo Saka collided into Tsimikas right in front of Klopp’s technical area, where the Liverpool manager was standing just inches from the touchline.
Klopp was upended by the flying Tsimikas, who landed hard on his shoulder. The Reds boss appeared to fall onto the Greek’s leg but the main damage was done to his upper body.
Keys, who has regularly railed against Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta’s touchline antics, tweeted: ‘It’s an irony that it’s Klopp – with Arteta in the other technical area – but that’s exactly why a coach being too close to the playing area is dangerous.’
While presenting beIN Sports’ coverage of the fixture, Keys added: ‘This is why coaches too near the playing surface – and I’ve said it since we identified Arteta, and it’s ironic he’s in the other technical area, as a serial offender – this is what can happen.
Liverpool’s Kostas Tsimikas will be ‘out for a long time’ after suffering a broken collarbone
The incident in the 35th minute of the 1-1 draw happened when Bukayo Saka collided with him
Tsimikas also took down his Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp during the incident at Anfield
BeIN Sports presenter Richard Keys blamed Klopp for the injury, saying his proximity to the touchline is ‘dangerous’
‘He is in his technical area but when coaches step outside of them, and they’re too close, that is always going to be a danger.’
Klopp confirmed after the match left-back Tsimikas will be ‘out for a long time’ with his collarbone issue and said the injury nullified any positives from the Anfield draw.
Mohamed Salah earned Liverpool a point in the top-of-the-table clash after Gabriel headed the Gunners in front – and the outcome leaves the Reds just a point behind leaders Arsenal at Christmas.
The setback adds to Liverpool’s woes because Andy Robertson is also out at the moment with a shoulder injury.
Klopp said he did not initially think it was a ‘real problem’, because he felt no pain, before adding: ‘I would happily give my collarbone to Kostas so he could be fit again’.
Klopp landed on the leg of Tsimikas after he was grounded by his tussle with Bukayo Saka
Liverpool certainly didn’t want a fresh injury blow ahead of the packed Christmas fixture list
He added: ‘I was completely fine. Of course that’s not cool when it’s directly in front of you and you’re kind of involved. I wasn’t even sure if I fell on him or how it happened. And yeah these things should not happen.’
The Reds will have to go into a busy festive period without the Greek left-back, with a trip to Burnley on Boxing Day, and Newcastle coming to Anfield on New Year’s Day.
Sophie Anderson, a UK-based writer, is your guide to the latest trends, viral sensations, and internet phenomena. With a finger on the pulse of digital culture, she explores what’s trending across social media and pop culture, keeping readers in the know about the latest online sensations.
