Liverpool stormed to a huge 6-3 win over LASK in Austria on Wednesday, with Kostas Tsimikas captaining the team for the first time as the Reds ran riot in a lop-sided performance
Liverpool's Greek defender #21 Kostas Tsimikas plays the ball during the UEFA Champions League football match between LASK and Liverpool FC
Kostas Tsimikas captained Liverpool in the Champions League against LASK(Image: (Photo by Branislav Racko / AFP via Getty Images))
Kostas Tsimikas said his "dreams" came true on Wednesday when he captained Liverpool to a win over LASK in the Champions League.
The left-back was named in the starting lineup ahead of Milos Kerkez, giving the Greek international an opportunity to put himself in the plans of Andoni Iraola moving forward. He was part of a wider group rotation, as the head coach looks to balance getting results with managing the overall fitness of the squad for an important run of fixtures ahead.
Youngsters such as Trey Nyoni, Rio Ngumoha, and Lewis Koumas were given a chance to shine, while a duo of Bradley Barcola and Florian Wirtz had the opportunity to build some momentum in front of goal after a frustrating first few weeks of the season.
It all largely worked for Iraola, as a hat-trick from Barcola was backed up by goals from Ronald Araujo, Jeremie Frimpong, and Koumas to seal another three points.
At the centre of it was Tsimikas, who was handed the role of captain on the night as one of the more experienced options at the manager's disposal.
It was an opportunity he took with both hands, as the defender detailed the emotions he felt on such an occasion. Speaking after the game, he said: "Representing my dream club, on a Champions League night, as a captain, with a win and some assists serving?!
Liverpool's Greek defender #21 Kostas Tsimikas plays the ball during the UEFA Champions League football match between LASK and Liverpool FC in Linz, Austria on October 14, 2026. (Photo by Branislav Racko / AFP via Getty Images)
Captain for the night Kostas Tsimikas plays the ball during Liverpool's Champions League win at LASK(Image: Branislav Racko / AFP via Getty Images)
"Little Kostas, we made it happen, kid. Never stop dreaming and believing, guys. Dreams can come true. I made some of mine come true today and it feels great. I am so grateful."
It shows just how important a match like that can be for some players within the squad, even when the result appears to be a formality before it has even begun.
For Tsimikas, it's the sort of opportunity he hasn't had much of so far this season, having struggled to make an impression in the limited minutes he has received up until this point.
That is despite some impressive performances for Greece in the latest international fixtures, as well as some unconvincing performances from Kerkez in his position.
It remains to be seen whether his display and leadership capability will see him start a Premier League game again sooner rather than later, or if his role will be to rotate in the cup competitions against weaker sides.
Until then, however, Tsimikas will continue to push for a starting space in the team while Iraola is still searching for his best side.