23 December 2023 , 20:38
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Arsenal's Bukayo Saka has issued an apology to Kostas Tsimikas after the Liverpool star collided with Jurgen Klopp and was sent to hospital during the 1-1 draw at Anfield.
The incident occurred in the 33rd minute when Saka barged Tsimikas off the pitch and into Klopp, sending the Liverpool boss flying in the process. However, Tsimikas stayed down injured and was replaced by Joe Gomez, as the Greece international was then sent to hospital.
It has since been confirmed that Tsimikas has suffered a broken collarbone, which will be a major blow to the Reds as Andy Robertson is not expected to return until the new year. Gomez, who impressed in Tsimikas' absence, could have a major role to play in the coming weeks.
Speaking after the game, Saka apologised to Tsimikas for his role in the incident. He told Sky Sports: " I heard he has gone to hospital so obviously I want to apologise to him, I didn’t mean it of course.
"For me it was a 50/50 and I have gone shoulder to shoulder with him. I didn't see it but he must have taken a bad fall, I didn't see him go into Jurgen Klopp either. I was focused on running forward because I didn’t think it was a foul. That's my take on it."
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Klopp expressed his frustration on Tsimikas' injury blow. "It was massively overshadowed by Kostas Tsimikas collarbone issue, definitely broken, so he is out for a long time," he said. "The other issues we will have to see. It is hard for us to swallow with the Robbo [Andy Robertson] situation."
Jurgen Klopp went tumbling after Kostas Tsimikas collided into him (Getty Images)As for the game itself, Gabriel gave Arsenal the lead in the fourth minute as he headed home Martin Odegaard's cross. Liverpool equalised just before the hour mark as Mohamed Salah scored a stunning goal for his 151st in the Premier League. Mikel Arteta's side pushed for a winner but they were unable to score another as both sides had to settle for a point.
The result leaves Arsenal top of the Premier League on Christmas Day, but Saka was frustrated with aspects of his side's performance. He added: "I think we’re a bit frustrated, I am frustrated, but I guess it can be good that you are frustrated when you come to Anfield and haven’t won. Credit to Liverpool, they played well and we played well as well. It could have gone either way in the end - we’re proud.
"There were certain moments in this game," Saka continued. "Of course Liverpool had their moments, but when we had our moments ourselves in the final third and sometimes that final pass didn’t go the right way - that is where the frustration lies with me."