I have to admit, I really enjoyed seeing Kostas Tsimikas have his moment against LASK.
Liverpool won 6–3 in Austria, Bradley Barcola grabbed a hat-trick and Lewis Koumas got himself on the scoresheet, but there was another story I really liked.
Tsimikas captained Liverpool in the Champions League and provided two assists.
For a player who has spent much of his Liverpool career fighting for opportunities, that must have felt pretty special.
And his message afterwards made it even better.
“Little Kostas, we made it happen, kid”
Tsimikas took to Instagram after the victory and reflected on what the night meant to him.
He wrote:
“Representing my dream club, on a Champions League night, as a captain, with a win and some assists serving?!“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.”
I genuinely love that.
Behind every professional footballer is a young kid who dreamed of playing at the highest level. Tsimikas was able to look back at that younger version of himself and say that he had made it.
Playing for Liverpool is special enough. Doing it in the Champions League is another thing entirely.
But captaining the side as well, then helping set up two goals? That is a night he will remember for a long time.
He made his opportunity count
Tsimikas wasn’t simply handed the armband for a photograph.
He had a proper contribution to make.
His delivery from a corner was met by Ronald Araújo, who headed Liverpool into the lead in the 22nd minute. After the break, Tsimikas supplied the assist for Jeremie Frimpong to make it 4–0.
Two assists, a captain’s performance and a 6–3 Champions League victory.
Not a bad evening’s work.
It was also a reminder that Liverpool have useful players beyond the names who usually dominate the headlines. With Virgil van Dijk starting on the bench, Tsimikas got the chance to lead the team and showed that he could make an impact when selected.
Of course, the three goals Liverpool conceded will need attention. Nobody should pretend the defensive side of the performance was perfect.
But that shouldn’t take anything away from Tsimikas’ personal achievement.
The Greek Scouser deserves his moment
Tsimikas has always seemed to understand what it means to play for Liverpool.
He might not always be first choice, and he has had to accept that opportunities can be limited. But nights like this show why having players who remain ready to contribute is important.
When the opportunity arrived, he took it.
And I think that’s what makes his Instagram message so relatable. He wasn’t boasting about his performance or making a big statement about his future. He was simply reflecting on a moment he had dreamed about as a child.
There is something quite refreshing about that.
Footballers can sometimes seem so far removed from supporters, but the excitement in his words feels genuine. He knows how fortunate he is to represent Liverpool, and he clearly isn’t taking the experience for granted.
“Never stop dreaming and believing.”
That’s the line that stood out to me most.
It’s easy to forget what a huge achievement it is to reach the top level of football, especially when we spend our time discussing transfers, wages, selection decisions and performances.
For Tsimikas, this was a chance to enjoy the journey.
And I’m glad he did.
What happens next?
I’m not suggesting one good night suddenly changes Liverpool’s left-back pecking order. Milos Kerkez remains an important option for Andoni Iraola, and Tsimikas will still have to compete for his opportunities.
But performances like this certainly help his case.
He has shown that he can provide quality from set pieces, contribute going forward and step into a leadership role when required.
Liverpool need a squad in which players can come in and make a difference. With the number of games coming up, that depth could prove valuable.
And if Tsimikas can build on this performance, he’ll give Iraola another option to consider.
For now, though, I think the player deserves to enjoy the moment.
Two assists. The captain’s armband. A Champions League victory.
And a message to his younger self that says it all.
Little Kostas really did make it happen.
I’m delighted for him. Nights like this are what football is all about.
Jamie (The Kopite View)
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