Interview'Quite intense!' - Kostas Tsimikas shares insight into Arne Slot's training sessions
Kostas Tsimikas has offered insight into Arne Slot's training methods and the playing style the head coach is looking to implement at Liverpool.
Tsimikas was among the assortment of players who reported to the AXA Training Centre last week to begin work towards the 2024-25 campaign.
And with pre-season now in full swing, the left-back and his teammates are growing more accustomed to the demands of the new Reds boss with each passing day.
Asked how he's found training under Slot so far, the No.21 told Liverpoolfc.com: "Very good. Quite intense!
"I think the boys give every day the best possible. He has very good ideas, in my opinion, and we work really hard to try to understand the way he wants us to play.
"We're really looking forward – after many, many training [sessions] – to seeing how the team reacts in the game and what we can do."
On what the Dutchman has been demanding, Tsimikas revealed: "To play nice football, to create triangles when I want to play and especially to make small movements to take the ball in the right feet and go from there.
"We didn't work many, many days but I think that's the main message he gave us in these four days we've been here.
"Day by day, session by session, the rhythm is going to come. I think it's quite early – the legs are a bit tired now! During the session I think everybody is very focused, very hungry to learn and to train hard."
Tsimikas enjoyed a lengthy rest after the 2023-24 season came to an end but has explained why he was so eager to return to Merseyside.
"I had a very nice break – seven weeks! I don't remember the last time I had seven weeks [for] myself just to chill on the beach," he said. "It was very good.
"At the start of the season you feel fresh to do again what you did before, especially now with a new manager and new idea. I'm really looking forward to that.
"I miss everything here. The routine you have every morning: wake up, come here, you see familiar faces and train hard. That's most of the things I missed."
While the squad continues to lay foundations for the term ahead, Tsimikas is itching to get back on the pitch and play in front of Liverpool supporters again.
Slot's Reds will contest four warm-up fixtures this summer before the competitive action begins at Ipswich Town on August 17.
Tsimikas said: "Always the pre-seasons finish very quick. I'm really looking forward [to the season].
"I miss this feeling – playing in front of our fans. I think all the red people missed this feeling to see the team at Anfield, and I'm buzzing to see us in Anfield again and win the games."
This article has been automatically translated and, while all reasonable efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, some errors in translation are possible. Please refer to the original English-language version of the article for the official version.