Kostas Tsimikas overcomes challenges to cement his place in Liverpool’s starting XI
Kostas Tsimikas of Liverpool has spoken out about his struggles adjusting to life at Anfield. The Greek international struggled to adjust after joining Liverpool, but his latest run in Jurgen Klopp’s starting lineup has resulted in a dramatic improvement in form.
“I always enjoy playing, even the bad games I play,” he told reporters ahead of Sunday’s game. “I always try to enjoy every moment here. Every game is a big opportunity for me.
“First of all, to play a lot of games in a very close period. Of course I am really enjoying playing more often now. I want to keep focused and am hungry for the next games.
“For me, it is something very, very big to play for this club and I will try to give my best, always. It was hard when I first came here to play the football that Robbo played.
“You need time to adapt, I also needed time to adapt. The club believed in me, even when I didn’t play too much.
“It’s very important to keep it up, to just keep working hard and to do what you can do. For sure, everybody needs time. Always when you find your best shape, always you enjoy as much as you can in this club.”
He continued: “I always feel I can play. I’m not thinking when he (Robertson) is coming back, who is going to play. I need Robbo and Robbo needs me. It is not possible for one player to play all the games.
“I just take this game by game, always try to give my best to help my team get three points. For me, that’s the most important thing.
“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 and we will see.”
“We have a big respect for Caoimh, he said. “He is a big goalkeeper. Every day in training he is always a hard worker.
“He’s shown many, many times when he’s played for the team and given absolutely everything. He deserves to play now because Ali is injured.
“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, very good goalkeeper. That is why he is here.
“As I say, we have seen it many, many times in the past. He always gave his best and had very good games. I feel very safe.”
He continued: “We have seen many, many times that everybody is fully ready. Ready for everything.
“Always I think every player in the squad wants to play everything, but, as I said before, you cannot play all the games. That’s why you have very good players on the bench, very hungry to play more games in the future and to give absolutely everything to help the team to achieve our goals.
“So I think it’s very, very important. I think everybody wants the same thing – the team has to win. We fight every day, even when you don’t play. The training sessions are very hard in order to keep yourself fit and when it is your time to be 100 per cent ready, 100% sure of what you do.
“As many times we’ve seen everybody who plays, Harvey (Elliott), me, Joe Gomez, always we are there. It’s big depth for the team. We have very good players and that is why we are in this big club.”
Tsimikas has filled the void left by the injured Andy Robertson since October, proving his ability with two assists against Brentford and a spectacular display against Manchester City.
Considering his early struggle, Tsimikas now appreciates the opportunity and plans to compete strongly for his spot. With Robertson out until the new year, Tsimikas is eager to secure his spot in the starting XI.
The 27-year-old admires Liverpool’s depth, praising goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher’s impressive stand-in job for the injured Alisson Becker.
As Liverpool prepares to face Fulham, Tsimikas is eager to show that his inclusion in the starting eleven is more than just a temporary solution.
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