Kostas Tsimikas is on the verge of a transfer to Liverpool.
The Reds have agreed an £11.75m fee for the Greek defender and a deal could be completed early this week.
Liverpool moved swiftly for Tsimikas after switching their attentions from Norwich left-back Jamal Lewis, and Reds fans can expect an exciting new addition to put pressure on Andy Robertson.
The ECHO spoke to Greek journalist Giannis Chorianopoulos, who has been covering the story for Sportime in his homeland, to get the lowdown on Tsimikas.
What sort of left-back is Kostas Tsimikas?
GC: I can say that he is a modern full back. Really good in offense but also reliable in defense. He is really fast and he can co-operate really well with the player he has in front of him as a left winger.
I know that Klopp doesn’t play with three in defence but Tsimikas can also play in a 3-5-2 or a 3-4-3 formation. He has good technique on the ball and good crosses also.
Is he ready for the step up to play for Liverpool?
I think yes. He is doing better and better every season. He played on loan in Denmark and Netherlands and season 2018-19 a good number of games in Olympiacos, especially when the other left-back of the team (was) injured. He was a great project for Olympiacos, they supported him a lot and this season he showed to a larger scale his strengths.
What has been the reaction in Greece to news Liverpool are interested in signing Tsimikas?
Huge. Impact was/is huge. Liverpool FC has many many supporters in Greece and of course when a Greek club transfers a player to the Premier League/World and European Champions it is massive. Jurgen Klopp also has many many supporters in Greece. For being the best manager in the world and for his philosophy about football.
Catch our Kostas Tsimikas podcast special with Greek football expert HERE
First issue in every Greek sports media and huge impact in every media group in Greece.
Do you think he can put pressure on Andy Robertson?
Difficult question but lets say yes. Robbo is a great full back, better and better every season with many assists, big impact in Liverpool’s game. Also better under Klopp. But I think this is the point also. Tsimikas will be a better player under Klopp and his Liverpool staff. So, I can answer in that. Yes. He has also (of course not in the same level) similarities with Robertson’s game.
Do you believe that the price being talked about, £11.75m, is value for money?
Is a logical price. Maybe I think the total amount will be higher with bonuses etc. I think he is better than (Jamal) Lewis and Liverpool FC made the right choice with 11.75 (maybe plus) million pounds.
Is this Tsimikas' first year playing regularly for Olympiacos? Does he have enough experience to play for Liverpool?
He is not the most experienced player but he had a lot of difficult matches this season. And he had brilliant performances vs Tottenham, Arsenal and Wolves. Plus Bayern Munich. Last season also he had 28 matches, nine of them in the Europa League. So, he almost has two seasons, that he is playing in the highest level.
Anything else Liverpool fans should know?
He is a hard worker, he loves training and he respects but is not the media guy. He has only one thing on his mind: football
And please keep this. Without disrespect to the other Premier League clubs who were interested in him, his first choice was, of course, Liverpool FC. He wants to play for Liverpool under Jurgen Klopp. To feel Anfield’s atmosphere (when all these with COVID ends) and to be part of the club.
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