Slot addressed the subject in his pre-match press conference on Friday ahead of Saturday's Premier League clash with Chelsea at Anfield, folding the Tsimikas update into a broader assessment of the squad transition ahead.
"We have to change a bit of personnel because of the two players who are leaving. One of them will probably be replaced by Kostas Tsimikas, because he is coming back from loan."
Tsimikas, 29, joined AS Roma on a season-long loan last summer after falling behind Kerkez in Slot's left-back hierarchy. He made 18 Serie A starts across 25 appearances for head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's side, struggled to hold down a regular place, and was briefly considered for a January recall as Robertson's future grew uncertain. Roma retained him for the remainder of the campaign.
The Athletic reported that Tsimikas is willing to return and is targeting pre-season to compete for the starting role, despite the expectation that Kerkez — who arrived from Bournemouth last summer — will remain first choice.
Tsimikas has one year remaining on his Liverpool contract. The club must decide on his future before the 2027 deadline. His return offers a cost-effective solution at left-back that allows Liverpool to direct their transfer resources towards more pressing needs — primarily a forward to offset Mohamed Salah's departure.
Salah and Robertson both leave as free agents at the end of this season. Goalkeeper Alisson Becker's future remains unresolved. Slot acknowledged the scale of the changes ahead while framing them as manageable.
"It will be a little transition this summer — maybe not as drastic as last year. This is already a very strong team."
Whether Tsimikas proves adequate cover for a club aiming to reclaim the Premier League title next season is the question. Slot did not suggest there was any doubt. The players around him might privately see it differently.