‘Every day’: 26-year-old Liverpool player says he’s been practising crossing so much in training

Add as preferred source on Google

Liverpool defender Kostas Tsimikas says he has been practising his crossing every day in training.

Tsimikas made the admission whilst speaking to LFCTV after last night’s 1-0 win over West Ham United. The Greek left-back played a key role in the winning goal, whipping a perfect ball right onto Darwin Nunez’s head.

“A very good moment for me, especially because it was a cross for Darwin, because I wanted to assist him,” said Tsimikas.

“I’m very, very happy for him because I know he wanted to score also. Obviously, he could score more goals [during the game], but hopefully he keeps his energy and his goals for the next games. I’m very happy because every day I work with it, to make better crosses and have better performances. So, I’m very, very happy with that.”

The hard work is obviously paying off for Kostas. Liverpool’s ‘Scouse Greek’ now has five assists from 12 appearances this season.

Kostas shows his class, but Robertson still Klopp’s pick

What a difference it makes to Liverpool to have a back-up with the quality of Tsimikas. Since last season, the Greece international has been an absolutely fantastic understudy to Andy Robertson.

There have been plenty of performances that have suggested he should perhaps even be ahead of Robertson.

Recently though, Kostas hasn’t looked quite as assured as he previously did. Despite his glorious assist for Darwin, that was evident at times last night, too.

In the first half in particular he seemed to be second to every ball. Passes were going astray, and he didn’t look to be on the same wavelength as his teammates.

This can happen, and in the end, Tsimikas should be commended for delivering such a sumptuous ball for Nunez to stick away.

But it reinforced the idea that Liverpool’s No.21 is still firmly behind Robertson in the left-back stakes.

Robbo, for his part, was excellent in Sunday’s huge win over Manchester City. He came on to see the game out last night and will surely start Saturday’s trip to Nottingham Forest.

But what a luxury for Jurgen Klopp to be able to rotate the two. Tsimikas is allowed a couple of off days after a pretty fantastic year or so. And if those off days still produce assists like the one last night, then we’re on to a winner.

Keep up to date with all the latest Liverpool news and opinion by following Rousing The Kop’s official Facebook page