Press conferenceKostas Tsimikas: I've developed a lot but can still improve
Kostas Tsimikas joined Jürgen Klopp at a press conference on Monday afternoon to preview Liverpool’s Champions League fixture with AC Milan.
The No.21 will be hoping to make his 11th appearance of the season in Tuesday’s 8pm GMT encounter at San Siro.
The Reds have already secured qualification to the knockout rounds of the competition but are seeking six wins from six in Group B.
Read on for a summary of the left-back’s pre-match comments...
On impressing so far this season…
I’m very happy for that. I’ve started eight games and I’m very happy for that. For me and every player who plays tomorrow, it’s a big challenge. We want to win every game and we try to do exactly this in tomorrow’s game.
On developing as a player under Klopp and trying to become a regular in the team…
I hope. For me, it was a dream I had as a young kid to play in a big team. My dream came true – I came to Liverpool. I’m very happy to work with these players, with this gaffer. It’s very important. For me, I think I have a lot of things to solve and I will try to do it in every single moment I get the chance.
On his celebration with Klopp for Divock Origi's winner at Wolverhampton Wanderers…
In these moments you can’t control your emotions. I really don’t remember when he caught my neck but I’m fine, I think I can play tomorrow! But it was a very good goal from Divock and he gave us this happiness – what we want and we wanted it the whole game.
On the importance of the squad, with everyone pushing each other…
We are like a family no matter who is playing or who is on the bench. Everybody wants good for the team – this is the most important thing. Everybody is very happy when we win and everybody is very sad when we lose. Everybody plays for each other, to help every player on the pitch and we celebrate together like crazy when we score in the 94th minute.
On how he feels he has developed as a player under Klopp…
I think I've developed a lot as a player. The boss helps me a lot, even last season when I was injured and had COVID and it was a very tough moment for me. But during the time I tried a lot, I worked a lot to think [about] what the manager wants in the game. I saw Robbo a lot of times when he played [and] tried to do exactly the same. It takes time when you work with a gaffer like this [one] we have. I developed a lot but still have a lot to improve.
On what Klopp has said to him since arriving...
When I came here, I used to play differently at Olympiacos, where I was before. Of course the new manager wanted new things. He saw me when we were outside on the pitch when I was fit and he talked to me and tried to tell me what he wants exactly. He was next to me and he tried to help me, always, and helped me a lot, and I thank him a lot. He was always there for me, even when I ask him something. I want to thank him a lot.
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Watch on YouTubeOn being known as the 'Greek Scouser'…
With the boys here, I try to speak Scouse sometimes. I try – I'm not good enough! I’m Greek also and that's why 'Greek Scouser'.
On what his best Scouse line is…
I don't want to say any more because we saw what happened with Fabinho with the chicken! To be honest, I don’t have any words as a favourite but I try always to speak and I think I’m at a good level.
On his friendship with Mohamed Salah…
Mo is one of my best mates here. Always when I want something, he was always there for me to help me. I don't want to speak about the player – he's fantastic. As a person, he is one of the best I have met in my life. He was there when I wanted him and needed him to tell me what the manager wants. He was always there to help me and we are very good friends and we spend a lot of time here in the training ground together and we have a lot of chats.
On whether there is anyone better in world football at the moment than Salah...
In my opinion, I think not. He is doing very, very well. For me, he is the best player in the world at this moment.
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Coming up on BT Sport...
- December 7: AC Milan v Liverpool
- December 16: Liverpool v Newcastle United
- December 26: Liverpool v Leeds United