Kostas Tsimikas has given an honest assessment of life back at Liverpool, admitting the early weeks of pre-season under new head coach Andoni Iraola have been “demanding” but rewarding.
The Greek full-back returned to AXA Training Centre-trained duty this week after spending last season on-loan at AS Roma sporting the braid look, as he joined the Reds for their 2026/27 pre-season programme in Chicago.
In his comeback interview on the official Liverpool media channels, the Greek international spoke about the taxing early sessions under Andoni Iraola, but spoke of his happiness and the group’s mood ahead of the first pre-season game.
"Yeah, it has been tough, as always. I’m really glad I’m back. We are so happy, we trained really hard. Thank God, we have no injuries in the first week. Everything goes really well, as we expect, with the new manager, new ideas, and we’re very happy."
Tsimikas also discussed the training under the new manager, praising Iraola's emphasis on building fitness through ball-based sessions during pre-season rather than relying heavily on traditional running drills.
"We did some throw-ins, some build-ups and all these kinds of things; he likes the intensity in the training, everything is with the ball. I think he wants us to keep the ball, don’t lose the ball, and try to play good football. "
There are already encouraging signs for Liverpool supporters, with Iraola seemingly attempting to replicate the high-intensity blueprint that impressed at AFC Bournemouth. His aggressive, front-foot pressing style bears plenty of similarities to the football that defined Jürgen Klopp's reign at Anfield.
Although he featured 25 times across Serie A and the Europa League during his loan spell in the Italian capital, he described the period as a challenging one and admitted he is happy to be back.
"I had a very tough and strange season last year. And during the last season, even if I didn’t have so much game time for some reasons, I’m really here, I’m really happy to be back, really glad and I can’t wait to wear the jersey."
Squad status
Liverpool have not been linked with a left-back during this transfer window, with the club's focus instead on strengthening other areas of the squad, suggesting Tsimikas is set to remain at Anfield. Following Andy Robertson's departure to Tottenham Hotspurs, Iraola is expected to retain two specialist left-backs in his squad.
Milos Kerkez is the favourite to start at left-back, with Tsimikas likely to provide experienced cover for the Hungarian, who previously flourished under Iraola at Bournemouth.
Iraola is already a long-time admirer of the Greece international, having reportedly been keen to sign him during his time at Bournemouth before Tsimikas instead completed a loan move to Italy.
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