Kostas Tsimikas has admitted to being surprised at his role for Liverpool this season.
The Greek left-back has been a key figure for the Reds so far in 2022/23, featuring in 16 out of 21 games. And, speaking to The Athletic in an interview this morning, Tsimikas claimed he never expected to be at the required level to play so regularly for Liverpool.
“I feel like I’ve developed a lot as a player during my time at Liverpool. It’s a dream for every kid in my country to play for a club like this. It was my dream, too, and it came true, but I never thought I could be very competitive in this team,” he admitted. “When I arrived I told myself: ‘If they choose for you to be here then it’s because they see something in you, they believe I can be like them.’
“I just had to believe in myself more and work hard. And when someone like Jurgen Klopp believes in you and trusts you, then you want to give even more. My team-mates also helped me a lot.
“I am very hungry for the future. I want to develop even more and help Liverpool win many more trophies. My goal is to be one of the best left-backs in the world. That’s what I’m aiming for.”
Tsimikas is still yet to push himself ahead of Andy Robertson for the first choice left-back slot. But his improvement is there for all to see. Keep going this way, and he won’t be back-up for too much longer.
Tsimikas looks back on difficult Anfield start
It’s interesting to hear Tsimikas talk so candidly about his beginnings at Liverpool. The 26-year-old had a torrid first season at Anfield, to say the least.
Owing to a mixture of fitness issues, Covid and perhaps a failure to settle in, Tsimikas played just seven times in 2020/21. Of those seven appearances, only two came in the Premier League, amounting to around six minutes.
Heading into that summer, perhaps the Greece international was questioning his move to Anfield.
Struggling to get any kind of run in the team, it was clear that he’d be playing second fiddle to a relentless Robertson.
But then, as it so often does in these instances, injury to the player ahead of him gave Tsimikas a chance. Robbo was injured on the eve of the 2021/22 season, allowing his understudy a chance to shine.
Having shown himself to be a reliable and effective option, Tsimikas hasn’t really looked back since then. Now, whenever he’s in the side Reds fans can relax knowing that there won’t be a drop off in quality. Considering how good Robertson has been over the last five years, that’s the biggest compliment you pay our ‘Scouse Greek.’ Keeping going, Kostas.
Receive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox
