Liverpool’s Kostas Tsimikas insists he is ready to push for a more significant role this season as he looks to push on at Anfield.
Tsimikas made just two late substitute appearances in last season’s Premier League while starting only two matches in the Champions League as well.
Still only 25, Tsimikas hopes to make more of a contribution this season as our backup left-back. He also acknowledges the fact that he has one of the current best left-backs in world football ahead of him and must bide his time and take his opportunities when he gets them.
Tsimikas is currently in Austria as part of Jurgen Klopp’s 34-man squad attending their pre-season training camp.
Speaking to Liverpoolfc.com, Tsimikas looked back on an unsatisfactory first campaign in red, while also discussing the training camp and his plans for the season ahead:
“I am very happy to be back with the boys, everything is very good. Training is really hard and really intense, but this will help us a lot for the next games. We start with friendly games and we continue working very hard together.
“The first six months were very difficult for me because I had COVID and two injuries, but the second half of the year was very good and I trained very hard in coming back from the injuries. Now I am more ready and in good shape to give everything for the team and help them to achieve our goals.
“I know I have to challenge the best left-back in the world. This gives me the power to do my work well every day, to continue working hard and to continue to be as good as I can.
“My target for next season is to stay healthy, first of all, and after to play more games and help my team.”
On the standard of training so far, Tsimikas commented:
“It’s very, very good – all the boys came in very good condition.
“Everybody is giving absolutely everything and this helps a lot to keep it up and continue working hard.
“If I look at the training we have done, I am very excited. I want to start this season. We have a lot of things to improve and to solve, but I think the team will be ready to give everything and achieve our goals.”
The former Olympiacos defender may get a chance to impress Klopp and co next week when Liverpool play two ‘mini’ friendlies on the same day.
Those games are on Tuesday, July 20th. Liverpool will play FC Wacker Innsbruck at 5pm and VfB Stuttgart at 5:45pm.
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