Liverpool could be open to sanctioning a loan move for Kostas Tsimikas this summer after falling down the pecking order.

Tsimikas was left out of the matchday squad against Crystal Palace in the Community Shield and again on the opening day against Bournemouth due to widespread interest in a transfer.

New signing Milos Kerkez started both games while Andy Robertson offered back-up on the bench, leaving no room for Tsimikas.

Nottingham Forest are known suitors, while the likes of Leeds, Valencia and Lille have also been linked this summer as Liverpool consider permanent offers for the 29-year-old.

Transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano has now reported on X that Liverpool could also consider a loan move for the Greece international, whose contract at Anfield runs until 2027.

A permanent transfer will presumably be prioritised by Liverpool, and with Tsimikas “prepared to leave” his exit is “expected to accelerate” ahead of the September 1 deadline.

For Tsimikas, though, a loan move could leave him with the sense that the door remains open for an Anfield return if Robertson’s contract is not extended beyond next summer.

Speaking in June, Tsimikas admitted there is a “temptation to play more” elsewhere, but that “the 27 to 29 games I play every year in all competitions are more than playing 40 for another team and in another league.”

Liverpool are under no pressure to sell as a £25 million deal with Bournemouth for Ben Doak continues their busy summer of sales, taking the total raised to £216 million.

However, it remains likely that a permanent exit is signed off for Tsimikas, with Slot having shown his hand when it comes to his left-backs, as the Greek defender only played 1,675 minutes last season, of which only 833 came in the Premier League.