Tsimikas: I always enjoy playing but also cannot wait for Robbo to be fit again

Kostas Tsimikas says the secret to his positive outlook is realising what a opportunity it is to be playing at one of the biggest clubs in World Football.

Tsimikas who has made 73 appearances for the club since joining from Olympiakos in the summer of 2020 has made a lasting impression on the fanbase and teammates alike due to his ability to fit in seamlessly and connect with everyone. There is literally no ego with the 27 year-old, and what you see is what you get.

Being a back-up is often seen as a difficult position to hold in a squad as you can go for weeks without seeing any significant minutes of action.

But Tsimikas can see the bigger picture, he realises that in front of him is arguably the best left-back in Europe and his role is to keep pushing Andy Robertson to be the best player he can be for the success of the side. And in turn, that will help his own game.

Currently the Greek international who has averaged just over 20 appearances a season in his three completed campaigns, is getting a sustained run in the side due to a shoulder injury that Robertson picked up on international duty.

And as the Mirror reported, while Tsimikas is thriving with the opportunity, he can’t wait for Robertson to be fit again.

“I always enjoy playing - even the bad games! I try to enjoy every moment because every game is a big opportunity. Of course, I am really enjoying playing more often now. For me, it is something very big to play for this club and I will give my best.

“But I want Robbo - and Robbo wants me. It is not possible for one player to play all the games. Right now I am really enjoying playing and want to keep focussed and hungry for the next games. I always feel I can play. I’m not thinking when Robbo is coming back or who is going to play.

‌“I hope all the best for him to come back as strong as before. We will see, no-one knows. I just always try to be focused to try to do my job as best as I can. It’s important that everybody is fully ready, always. I think every player in the squad wants to play every time but, as I said before, you cannot play all the games."

Tsimikas reflected on his early days at the club and says while it was a difficult time to adjust, he is thankful for the support he was given.

“You need time to adapt. But the club believed in me, even when I didn’t play too much. Everybody needs time to find your best shape, but you must always enjoy it as much as you can at this club.

‌“The training sessions are very hard in order to keep yourself fit and, when it is your time, to be 100 per cent ready for what you do. Many times we’ve seen everybody who plays, me, Joe Gomez, always we are there. We have very good players and that is why we are in this big club. We fight every day, even when you don’t play, training is very hard, to keep yourself fit and when it’s your time, to be 100 per cent ready.”

Another player in the same boat as Tsimikas is Caoimhin Kelleher and with Alisson out for a few weeks with a Hamstring injury, the Irish international will be given a opportunity and the left-back couldn’t be more happier.

“I always chat with Caoimhin at the training ground and we always try to make fun. He always smiles.

“For me personally, I feel very safe when he’s the goalie. I am really happy for him. To be at Liverpool it means he is a very good goalkeeper. That is why he is here.”

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/kostas-tsimikas-andy-robertson-liverpool-31581997