Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has praised Kostas Tsimikas ahead of the Reds’ upcoming Europa League encounter.
The Liverpool manager, speaking at his pre-match press conference, says the 27-year-old has been improving after finding rhythm as a regular starter.
Tsimikas has started six of Liverpool’s eight games since fellow left-back Andrew Robertson picked up a shoulder injury on international duty.
The Scotland international required surgery and is expected to be out of action until the New Year at least.
Tsimikas is likely to start once again for Liverpool as they host Austrian outfit LASK at Anfield.
‘Really, really happy’
Klopp, speaking to the Liverpool media team, suggested that Tsimikas wasn’t at his best after stepping in for Robertson, but now he’s doing very well indeed.
“Kosti needed obviously rhythm as well,” said the Reds boss. “It’s not that he was now flying since he came into the team but he knows that himself.
“And it’s very important for a player who was waiting that long for a run of games, stuff like this, then you think just because you have the run of games, now it will work out. But it’s not like this.
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“But he improved now, the last two games were really good.
“The game before the international break, Brentford, you could see how big the change was after he set up the goal, he was involved in Diogo’s goal as well and, yes, was much more stable as well.
“And we all know if he is stable then he can produce some beautiful things, especially crosses, set-pieces and all these kind of things, we need that. So, yeah, really, really happy.”
Kostas Tsimikas ‘brings so much joy’ to Liverpool dressing room
Tsimikas has been at Liverpool since August 2020, when he joined the Reds from Olympiakos in a deal reportedly worth around £12million.
His time at Anfield has been fairly stop-start, but he’s just got in with it and has stepped up when called upon.
It’s great to see Tsimikas now playing – and enjoying – regular football, and let’s hope he continues to enjoy life at Anfield.
The Greece international is also so popular in the Liverpool dressing room. For instance, Alisson Becker recently said: “He’s a lovely guy. I think he brings so much joy to our team every day here.
“It’s a pleasure for me to work together here with him. Not talking about his qualities as a player, he is a fantastic player as well; top skills, but as a person [he’s] even better.”