Kostas Tsimikas is determined to maximise every opportunity he gets as the start of 2021-22 looms.

The left-back featured for 44 minutes of Liverpool’s second hour-long friendly against Bologna in Evian on Thursday and added another impressive performance to his pre-season efforts so far this summer.

Having watched on as Diogo Jota and Sadio Mane goals defeated the Serie A side in the opening contest, Tsimikas and co were victorious in the repeat courtesy of Takumi Minamino’s cool early finish.

“I’m very happy with the team’s performance,” the Greece international, whose own display was described as ‘really, really good’ by the manager, told Liverpoolfc.com post-match.

“Everybody gave absolutely everything, we are very happy with that. We always do in the games what we train every week and I’m very happy for that.”

The forthcoming season represents Tsimikas’ second with the Reds following a debut year in which he made seven appearances after arriving from Olympiacos.

Asked about the offensive threat he exhibited against Bologna, and his approach to gaining more chances in the XI, he said: “I always try to improve my game and to give my best to help the team – to win, to score goals.

“Always these kind of games give me more power to continue running and to improve. And I’m very happy to help my team win 1-0 even in a friendly game.

“I always give my best to be close to the team. And whenever my coach gives me the opportunity to play, I’m always ready for that. Any opportunity, I’m ready.”

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Jürgen Klopp’s squad will return to Merseyside this weekend after almost four weeks of pre-season training work in Austria and, more recently, France.

Back-to-back warm-up games against Athletic Club and CA Osasuna await at Anfield on Sunday and Monday respectively, before the Premier League begins with a trip to Norwich City on August 14.

On the players’ level of readiness for the opener at Carrow Road, Tsimikas added: “I think, I’m sure all the players give everything every day in training. Every player is ready for this.

“We’re ready for the first game of the season to do what we trained all these weeks here in the training camp. I think the team will be ready for this challenge.”