"We have watched Kostas for a long time," Jurgen Klopp said after Liverpool completed a transfer for Greek full-back Tsimikas earlier this week.
“He is a very good footballer with an attitude to win and to compete, and I really like his mentality. It fits perfectly with the mood and the desire we have in our dressing room already."
Liverpool had been watching and learning. For three years, in fact.
It is no secret they possess one of the best recruitment teams in Europe with no stone left unturned when pursuing a deal. But this transfer shows the strength of that strategy at Anfield.
After all, it was never just Tsimikas. The efforts to sign Jamal Lewis from Norwich City were well publicised and the Olympiacos man arrives knowing he was second-choice for Klopp and Michael Edwards.
Sergio Reguilon and Lloyd Kelly were also considered just like Tsimikas and Lewis. So what comes next from here? Liverpool are constantly linked with players or reportedly scouting them.
And they may well be - watching and learning - but the deal for Tsimikas shows Edwards is ensuring Klopp never goes without when the time is right.
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Sure, James Milner was a fine deputy at left-back and nobody could have envisaged the talented youngster Yasser Larouci resisting a new contract.
But Liverpool planned ahead to the extent that Edwards was happy to move on from primary target Lewis when he felt he was not able to secure the right deal with Norwich City.
The strategy, then, is clearer than ever.
And he may well have to utilise it again soon with Gini Wijnaldum yet to sign a new contract and other positions lacking specialised cover. A replacement for Andy Lonergan as third-choice? A centre-back now that Dejan Lovren has departed? A back-up forward?
The arrival of Tsimikas proves there will already be names upon names being watched and considered for every position. But they have to be that perfect fit for what Klopp has created.
Already this summer Liverpool have signed highly-rated prospects Fabiak Mrozek and Mateusz Museolowski from Poland after earlier inviting them to train at Melwood.
They are not shotgun signings. Liverpool have - once again - been measured and efficient in the transfer market. They refused to be bullied by Norwich for Lewis and believed Tsimikas was still of the level required to join the Premier League champions.
Klopp admitted they had been watching him for a long-time and the ball will already have started rolling on the next signing.
However long that takes does not matter. Because the current strategy has not yet let Liverpool - or Klopp - down.
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