Kostas Tsimikas' time at Anfield has been a roaring success thus far
Back in the summer of 2020, Liverpool signed Kostas Tsimikas from Olympiacos for a transfer fee of €13 million.
The left-back was brought in as cover for Andy Robertson. Despite that being the case, the Liverpool supporters did not see much of Tsimikas in his first season at Anfield.
The Greece international only made seven appearances for the club's first-team last campaign. Tsimikas picked up a few injuries, which meant that he did not have a good run at things during his debut season.
Robertson said the following about Tsimikas' 2020-21 campaign to The Mirror : "Last season he had Covid, which I think wiped him out for a few weeks, and then he had a nasty knee injury. So it was tough, but he was constantly working hard.
"The position we were in in terms of not having many options due to injuries last season meant that I ended up playing every game, but he was still working hard."
But, the Anfield faithful have seen a different left-back during the 2021-22 campaign. Tsimikas had a solid pre-season in 2021, which gave him plenty of confidence ahead of his second campaign at the club.
“I always try to improve my game and to give my best to help the team – to win, to score goals," the defender told the club's official website ahead of the first game of 2021-22 Premier League season , as quoted by The Liverpool Offside.
“Always these kind of games [pre-season matches] give me more power to continue running and to improve."
He added: “I always give my best to be close to the team. And whenever my coach gives me the opportunity to play, I’m always ready for that. Any opportunity, I’m ready.”
Tsimikas has been averaging a WhoScored player rating of 7.06 for Liverpool this season (17 appearances). The left-back has also registered two assists for the Reds.
The aforementioned figures back up the argument that Tsimikas has been performing well when he has been given an opportunity to play this season.
With that being the case, Reds boss Jurgen Klopp has had plenty of good things to say about the Greece international in recent times.
"Kostas has a lot of quality – he can push Andy Robertson, but Andy Robertson in my eyes is the best left-back in the world but it’s good we have the options to give Robbo a rest in moments – even when he doesn’t like it," Klopp said during a press conference back in November 2021, as quoted by Metro.
"Kostas needed time to adapt but he has done that now and we have to let him run free sometimes! Especially when you have the quality such as Kostas."
Klopp is spot on about Robertson being one of the best left-backs in the world. The Scotland international is a defender by trade.
But, Robertson is such a weapon going forward. The defender has scored six goals and registered 47 assists in 202 appearances for Liverpool's first-team.
Therefore, it is unlikely that Tsimikas will be replacing Robertson on a permanent basis anytime soon.
But, as long as Liverpool's No.2 left-back keeps on performing to a high standard when he is given an opportunity, it would be fair to assume that those associated with the club will be more than happy with his efforts.
Tsimikas cost very little money and is only expected to be a squad player. From what we have seen thus far, he has been a successful signing. Also, the full-back is improving all the time.
Tsimikas is contracted until the summer of 2025. The Greece international shouldn't be departing Anfield anytime soon.
We wish Tsimikas all the best for the remainder of the season. Hopefully he gets a few more opportunities to showcase his talent before the campaign comes to an end.