Kostas Tsimikas sheds light on power of Anfield ahead of Nottingham Forest clash

Kostas Tsimikas feels Liverpool have 'extra motivation' at Anfield thanks to the power of the home fans as the Reds prepare to host Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Sunday.

The Greek international is set to start in the absence of Andy Robertson, who is set to miss up to 12 weeks of football after sustaining a shoulder injury while on international duty with Scotland. Speaking to Premier League productions ahead of the clash against Forest, Tsimikas highlighted the power of Anfield, adding that he always goes up a gear or two when he plays at home for Liverpool.

He said (quotes via Liverpool's official website): “[It’s] because of the fans, the extra motivation they give you every single time you play there. Everybody is up on their toes, and they always try to push you, to give you absolutely everything, all the power you need for the game. I think that’s the main thing.

“Me as a player, when I play here [at Anfield] I feel this all the time in the home games – I have extra power, extra running, extra needs for my game. So, I think that’s the most important [thing].”

The 27-year-old opened up on the threat posed by Forest, admitting that Liverpool will face a tough challenge against Steve Cooper's side. He added: “Every game in the Premier League is very hard, so it will be tough for us. But I think everybody is 100 percent focused for this game. We work really hard every day for this game. I think it will be very tough, but also the team will be 100 percent there, 100 percent focused and 100 percent ready to face this challenge.”

Tsimikas started the Merseyside derby against Liverpool last weekend but was on the bench for the Reds' 5-1 UEFA Europa League triumph against Toulouse, with young left-back Luke Chambers making his first-ever start for the club on Thursday. He's expected to return to the starting XI tomorrow and is likely to keep his place in the team until the turn of the year as Robertson continues to recover from his shoulder problem.