‘Very easy, I’m here to stay’ – Kostas Tsimikas’ long speech on contract extension interview

Kostas Tsimikas has signed a new long-term contract with Liverpool that will keep him at the club until 2027. Tsimikas outlines his reasons for sticking at Liverpool to Sam Williams for Liverpoolfc.com:

I’m delighted to be here to prolong my contract. I feel like all of my sacrifices and other things, as well as the work I put in, have paid off. But it keeps me going for the remainder of the day. As I’ve stated in numerous interviews, our team has a lot to accomplish as a whole, and I wanted to be a part of it from the beginning.

Yeah, [deciding to stay] was a piece of cake! I believe that when both parties, myself and the team, want it, it gets much, much simpler. I wanted to stay from the beginning because I adore everyone here: the people, who make me happy every morning when I see them in the training ground, as well as the players, staff, and everyone else. Even the weather improved for me! And, as I have stated, I am overjoyed.

Tsimikas is now 27 years old, a prime age for a player, and Williams asked him to explain why Liverpool is the appropriate club for his finest playing years:

I believe this is the right club for me because they believe in me. When I play for the team, I always give my all; I strive to help everyone when I play and even when I don’t. I believe and believe that I am a key player for the players, especially for the mood, and when I play. As I previously stated, I am quite glad to be here, and I believe that extending my contract and staying here was the best decision for me.

The club has left an imprint on the Greek left back, with Tsimikas the most recent to emphasize the mental influence of the FA and League Cup parades:

Everything about our club is special to me, especially when we won the cups and had the parade two years ago. Everyone on the team was disappointed because we lost the Champions League final and finished second in the league, but we saw all the happiness on their faces at the parade and [they were] next to us, to celebrate, and that was extra motivation for us to forget everything [about] the bad things. As a result, this club is really privileged, and everyone loves it [and] when we go abroad, everyone wears the red shirt and celebrates for us. It’s unique.

It’s priceless how you feel when you play at Anfield. They always push you to give your all – especially me in Anfield, where I don’t feel tired, [I am] never tired. When I sense the fans next to us, especially next to me, it’s something magical that I can’t put into words. That is why we continue to work together, both as players and as fans of the team, to have good games.

Though the club and its supporters are special to Tsimikas, he also sees Liverpool FC as a place for him to flourish as a player:

As I recall [when I arrived], I made significant progress. When you train with these types of guys, it gives you full motivation because you feel like a part of them, like a big boy as a player! Being here is the most tough thing, you know, and playing especially – I think it was really crucial for me to be surrounded by all these types of players [and] very excellent individuals. They showed me love from the beginning and helped me to become one with them from the beginning, and I am grateful for that.

…Of course, the effort never stops. Every morning, I wake up with the thought that I have an extra day to go to the training ground and work on certain points that I want to improve. Of course, even in football, you never stop learning. You must deal with fresh and improved players, and you must be present. So, of course, the training never ends; you must be present, and you must first and foremost be healthy in order to prepare your body to be present and fully dedicated at all times. So that’s the greatest option for me: to workout, work, heal, and then go again.

Tsimikas also commented about feeling linked to the place — and adjusting to English weather:

Yeah. For me, this is like home, home: the city, the training grounds, the people; it’s as if [they] have become family. That is why I extended my contract; because of all of these conditions, I am here to stay. I adore the people, I love the club, and even the weather has become extremely familiar to me! That’s what I enjoy, and it’s why I agreed to the contract.

Tsimikas’ choice to stay was influenced by Jürgen Klopp, Mohamed Salah, and Virgil Van Dijk:

[Klopp] has always attempted to assist me, to be honest, with the things I want. I believe he gave me the go-ahead to sign this deal and demonstrate that he wants me at the club, therefore I am grateful to have him and he is always available to me. So I sincerely appreciate it and thank him for everything he has done for me over the years and in the years to come.

I always discuss everything with [Salah]. He was always convincing, and the captain [Van Dijk] was as well. I constantly sense the players’ love; we’re all together and having a good time. For me, when these types of athletes – especially Mo, who is constantly next to me there, we have fun together, and he always suggests the greatest thing for me and my career. So, as I already stated, it was not a difficult decision for me.

Williams chose the FA Cup final from his 63 total appearances for Liverpool to examine because Tsimikas scored the winning penalty:

Yes, I believe it will be the best moment of my life because it was something I had never done before; it was the first penalty I had shot, and I remember being quite stressed! But, as I already stated, I thought the supporters were really desperate for this cup [and] us since we did very well in every competition, we did [almost] perfectly in every competition, so scoring the penalty and winning this trophy for the club was obligatory for me.

Tsimikas is hoping that this group can add to their trophy cabinet after winning the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup:

Yes, as you say, more success, more labor, and more awards. For me, winning trophies, being devoted in any situation, and being a part of it all is the most essential thing. I believe this team has a great opportunity to win additional titles, and we will go for it. Everyone, I believe, is 100 percent present [and] focused on the upcoming games, and everyone is eager to achieve great things in the future.

His final message to fans after signing his contract extension?

The Greek Scouser has arrived, and he intends to stay!