‘More success, more work and more trophies’ – Kostas Tsimikas’ full speech on contract extension interview

Kostas Tsimikas signed a new long-term contract with Liverpool today, keeping him at the club until 2027. Tsimikas explains why he wants to stay at Liverpool to Sam Williams for Liverpoolfc.com:

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

Yeah, [deciding to stay] was really simple! I believe that when both parties, me and the team, want it, it gets much, much easier. I wanted to stay from the beginning because I adore everyone here: the people, who make me happy every morning when I see them on the training ground, as well as the players, staff, and everyone else. Even the weather improved! And, like I said, I am overjoyed.

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

I believe it is the right club for me because they believe in me. I always give my all when I play for the team, and I strive to help everyone when I play and even when I don’t. I believe and feel that I am a key player for the players, especially for the mood, and when I perform. 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 a mark on the Greek left back, with Tsimikas the most recent to note the mental influence of the parade for the FA and League Cups:

Everything about this club is special, especially when we won the cups and had the parade two years ago. Everyone in 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 tremendously privileged, and everyone loves the club [and] when we go abroad, everyone wears the red shirt and celebrates for us. It’s one-of-a-kind.

The feeling you get when you play at Anfield is priceless. They always encourage you to give your all – especially in Anfield, where I never feel tired. When I sense the fans next to us, especially next to me, it’s something magical I can’t put into words. That’s why we keep working together, both as players and as fans of the team, to have good games.

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

As I recall, I made significant progress [when I arrived]. Especially when you train with these types of guys, it gives you full motivation since 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 – for me, I believe it was incredibly essential to be surrounded by all these types of players [and] very wonderful individuals. They showed me love and helped me to be one with them from the beginning, and I am grateful for that.

…[O]f course, the effort never ends. Every morning when I wake up, I tell myself that I have an extra day to go to the training ground and work on specific points that I want to improve. Of course, learning never stops, even in football. You must cope with new and better players, and you must be present. So, of course, the training never ends; you must be present and, above all, healthy in order to prepare your body to be present and fully dedicated at all times. So, for me, that’s the greatest option: to workout, work, heal, and then go again.

Tsimikas also talked about feeling linked to the land — and getting adjusted to English weather:

Yeah. For me, the city, the training grounds, and the people have all become like family. That is why I extended my contract; I am here to stay as a result of all of these situations. I like the people, I like the club, and even the weather has become extremely familiar to me! That’s what I enjoy, and it’s why I signed the contract.

Jürgen Klopp, Mohamed Salah, and Virgil Van Dijk all had important roles in Tsimikas’ choice to stay:

[Klopp] has always attempted to assist me, to be honest, with the things I desire. 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 there for me. So I genuinely appreciate that and thank him for everything [during] all these years and the years to come.

I always talk to [Salah] about anything. He was continually convincing me, and the captain [Van Dijk] was also convincing me to sign. I constantly sense the affection of the players; we’re all together and having a good time. For me, the most significant thing is when these types of athletes – notably Mo, who is constantly next to me there, we have fun together, and he always suggests the greatest thing for me and my career. As I already stated, it was not a difficult decision for me.

Williams chose the FA Cup final from his 63 total Liverpool appearances 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 ever shot, and I remember being quite stressed! But, as I already stated, I thought the supporters were really anxious for this cup [and] us since we did very well in every competition, we did [almost] perfectly in every competition, so it was compulsory for me to score the penalty and win this trophy for the club.

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

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

His final message to fans after signing his extension?

The Greek Scouser has arrived and is here to stay!