Andy Robertson first team place could be under threat this season with his close man's confuting appearances
Having been limited to just two Premier League substitute appearances last year, and with repeated reports linking him with a move away from Anfield, Kostas Tsimikas is proving he is far more than just Andy Robertson’s reserve on Merseyside this season.
One man not surprised by the 25-year-old's convincing start to the new season is former Greece international and Euro 2004 winner Stelios Giannakopoulos who effused that Tsimikas has a lot more to offer the Reds.
Speaking in an interview with the Echo Giannakopoulos said: "I'm not surprised by Kostas' start to the season.
“I knew from the beginning that Kostas was going to make it because he has a big heart and he has determination.
"He works very, very hard and that is very, very obvious. You can see it during the games.
"The games are a mirror of the work you are doing in training week in, week out. Nothing comes along without trying and he tries a lot.
"Obviously they have been watching him for a long time. The scouting system of these big clubs is very, very important and they don’t rely on luck.
"They sign players based on evidence and all the evidence was there for Kostas.
"He deserves what he deserves, it’s as simple as that."
The former Bolton Wanderers winger added: "The Premier League is the toughest league in the world. It’s very, very physical and very, very fast.
"Both physically and technically and you need to combine these two elements at the same time and this is the most difficult thing for a foreign player, especially a player who is coming from Greece.
"It takes a little bit of time to adjust to the pace and the physicality of the game in England.
"Kostas took his time, he had a couple of injuries that knocked him back a little bit, but now he is fully fit and he can demonstrate his potential.
"He has got potential and this is what I like about him. He is willing to work hard in order to get better and better every day and in every game.
"Liverpool made a fantastic choice offering him the contract because they saw, in a very small period of time, that they could rely on the talent of Kostas. They could obviously spot his qualities.
"I think this year is going to be Kostas’ year. Don’t forget he has to compete with Robertson. He is a fantastic player too and it is healthy competition between two very good players. It only has benefits for the club.
"Both players are pushing each other for the first team spot and that is a big benefit for Jurgen Klopp and the club as well because they give their everything in the training and in the games to show they deserve to play. That is very healthy and very good for the club.
"He has more potential to give as well. I think that the things Kostas is doing with Liverpool now is only the beginning. He has a lot more to offer to the club."