Kostas Tsimikas: Jurgen Klopp tells Liverpool fans to watch 'cheeky' signing on YouTube

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Tom Doyle17 August 2020

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has spoken of his relief at finding a signing like Kostas Tsimikas who can provide a "proper option" to Andy Robertson.

With James Milner drafted in as a back-up wing-back last season, Klopp had been looking for a natural full-back to bolster his squad for Liverpool Premier League title defence.

The champions initially looked at Norwich City's Jamal Lewis, but balked at the £20million asking price before turning to Tsimikas.

The 24-year-old Greece international arrived from Olympiacos in an £11.75m deal last week, and is raring to go after joining up with Klopp's squad for pre-season training in Austria.

"Kostas is a signing which just shows what we are looking for, what we need," Klopp said.

"I think the left-back position was now not a position where the people out there would have thought, 'We need another player' and stuff like this.

Liverpool FC via Getty Images

"It worked out pretty well, Millie played there from time to time but we cannot take any risk or we should take as less risk as possible.

"Our full-backs in the way we play are so important with the skills they have, the speed they have, the crosses they bring in and stuff like this.

"When I saw Kostas the first time, I thought, 'Is it possible to get somebody like him?' Meanwhile, he's not the most experienced player because he started a little bit later with a proper career. But in the last two or three years, he's really right on track and then has started building his career obviously.

"Then we had a conversation and he was very, very positive about this, knowing that we have already a world-class full-back – but that's exactly what you try to have."

Klopp added of Tsimikas: "I'm not sure we can cover each potential problem we have like this but this problem, I'm pretty happy with the solution.

Liverpool FC via Getty Images

"Robbo and Trent [Alexander-Arnold], let's say, they cannot play every season 50-something games – it would limit their careers, to be honest, even when they come through. So I'm really happy that we got this proper option and he is a proper option.

"He's a super guy, a very confident boy, cheeky and if you want, watch him on YouTube – probably most of our supporters did that already. I would say quite exciting."

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