Liverpool could save millions in market but transfer decision still looms

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Kostas Tsimikas is among those players who will be there for the start of Andoni Iraola's Liverpool reign - but for how long?Transfer business is as much driven by necessity as design. And Liverpool are no different this summer.The surprise move for Spain international Victor Munoz last month by triggering his £34.5million release clause at Osasuna was understandable given forward options have been compromised by the exit of Mohamed Salah, the long-term injury suffered by Hugo Ekitike and the possible exit of Federico Chiesa.With Liverpool also in the market for a right-winger - they had a bid rejected for Yan Diomande before it emerged the RB Leipzig teenager would prefer a move to Paris Saint-Germain - there is likely to be at least one further addition to the attack.After that, though, the picture is less clear.

The Reds are still debating the right-back situation as they continue to wait for Conor Bradley to return to full fitness after serious injury while also mindful of the problems in the position last season.While Jeremy Jacquet has now arrived from Rennes after a £60m deal was agreed in January, the departure of Ibrahima Konate on a free transfer to Real Madrid has left many supporters calling for further reinforcement at centre-back.The midfield, too, is an area of intrigue, although Liverpool are unlikely to properly pursue any deals unless one or more of the current senior engine room is moved on, Curtis Jones - in the last 12 months of his contract - the most obvious potential sale with Inter Milan, Nottingham Forest and Galatasaray among the clubs interested.And then there is left-back. Andy Robertson confirmed in April he would not sign a new deal at Liverpool and leave after nine years at the club this summer, and has subsequently signed for lowly Tottenham Hotspur.Then Reds head coach Arne Slot confirmed the plan was to reintegrate Kostas Tsimikas - on a season-long loan at Roma - into the first-team squad as competition for Milos Kerkez.Given new boss Andoni Iraola, who replaced the sacked Slot last month, worked with Kerkez at Bournemouth, the expectation is the Hungarian will again start the campaign as first choice.But has the picture changed for Tsimikas?The Greek international signed for Liverpool six years ago as understudy to Robertson, and made 115 appearances - 72 as a starter - before agreeing a loan spell at Roma.

A frustrating time in Italy, though, saw him make only six Serie A starts, all of which were as left wing-back.Iraola will run the rule over his players during pre-season with Tsimikas among the first batch who will convene at the AXA Training Centre in the next week.The situation of Tsimikas, though, is complicated by the fact he is in the last year of his contract, with this summer the last chance Liverpool could command a relatively decent price for the 30-year-old having signed him for £11.75m from Olympiacos.If Tsimikas is happy to once again compete for his place, it may well be that Liverpool stick with the experienced Greek and delay any new left-back signing to next summer. Alternatively, they could look to move him on in the coming months so to facilitate the purchase of a more long-term left-back rival to Kerkez.What's clear is both player and club will have a decision to make before the transfer window closes on September 1.