Shaqiri tips background Liverpool figure to become crucial in rave review

Xherdan Shaqiri Liverpool v Man Utd January 2021

Liverpool attacker Xherdan Shaqiri believes that Kostas Tsimikas will soon play a much greater role at the club after his quiet debut season.

The Greek left-back became the Reds’ first summer signing last August, joining from Olympiacos. Signed as back-up to the reliable Andy Robertson, he has only made six appearances in all competitions to date. Indeed, his only Premier League experience came in the last five minutes of the 4-1 defeat to Manchester City.

Given the number of key injuries Liverpool have suffered this term, Tsimikas may well have expected more game time. However, Robertson has remained one of only few stoic figures in Jurgen Klopp’s team.

Nevertheless, Switzerland international Shaqiri has backed his team-mate to flourish as his career at Anfield progresses.

Asked for his assessment of the left-back, Shaqiri told liverpoolfc.com: ” Very good. He is, first of all, a very good character and a very nice guy.

“A happy guy, always laughing every day – this is also very important.

“He is a good friend of mine; I try to help him any time he needs some help. He’s a funny guy.

“Obviously he didn’t have a lot of games this season but we see his qualities every day in training and how hard he works every day in the gym, after training too. I think this is going to pay off soon.

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“I hope he gets his rhythm as soon as possible and he can get some minutes because he’s a very good player and he can be much, much better if he can improve himself also. That’s why he came here.

“I’m looking forward that he’s going to be a very, very important player for the club.”

Tsimikas’ Liverpool role so far

Tsimikas made his Liverpool debut in September when the Reds beat Lincoln 7-2 in the Carabao Cup.

But he has largely made his name in the Champions League, making starts in the group stage against Atalanta and Midtjylland.

Since then, he has played one further minute in Europe – against RB Leipzig – as well as the five-minute cameo against City, with the defeat already set in stone.

The 24-year-old has four years left on his contract.

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