Kostas Tsimikas on Wolves win, starting again and assisting Salah
Kostas Tsimikas believes perseverance was the key to Liverpool's 2-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The Reds had to wait until the 73rd minute to break the deadlock at Anfield on Wednesday night as they shook off the disappointment of a Darwin Nunez goal being ruled out following a VAR review to go in front courtesy of Virgil van Dijk’s close-range header.
Tsimikas then provided the assist for Mohamed Salah to seal the three points, with Jürgen Klopp’s side now heading into Sunday’s clash with Manchester United having accrued 10 points and recorded clean sheets in each of their last four Premier League outings.
Post-match, Liverpoolfc.com spoke with Tsimikas. Read the interview below.
On having to battle hard for the three points…
Yeah, it was a very hard game against a very tough opponent but in the end we saw we wanted more these three points. They played really good, they defended us very well, but in the end we scored two wonderful goals – three wonderful goals, one was a foul – and I’m very, very happy for all the boys and our performance.
On the effort the team showed across the 90 minutes to get the win…
A lot of times we played good football but the results were that we lost 1-0 or maybe drew 0-0. I think the most important thing in football is to win matches even when you are not so good, when we don’t play so-good football. I think that’s the most important thing so today we had good times during the game but in the end we scored two goals and we took the three points.
On the changes behind Liverpool’s improved level of performance in the second half…
We had to stick to the plan, to give absolutely everything. We didn’t have to think about the next game, I think this one was more important for us and now everybody is ready to go with everything we have for the derby [against Manchester United].
On being back in the starting XI and assisting Salah’s goal…
I’m very, very happy for my performance. When I don’t play for a long time, I came into the team and I saw that I am ready… I think that is the hunger for every player who doesn’t play so often. But of course I want to say I give this win for my people back in Greece. There was an accident yesterday, a train crash, may God give power to the families and may they rest in peace.