Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp reveals Diogo Jota and Kostas Tsimikas plan after Lincoln win

Posted Saturday, September 26, 2020 by Express.co.uk

Jurgen Klopp handed new signings Kostas Tsimikas and Diogo Jota their Liverpool debuts in the 7-2 Carabao Cup win at Lincoln.

Jurgen Klopp has revealed that new boys Kostas Tsimikas and Diogo Jota may have to bide their time before they're Liverpool regulars. The pair were handed their competitive debuts for the Reds in the 7-2 thrashing of Lincoln.

Two goals apiece from Curtis Jones and Takumi Minamino plus further strikes from Xherdan Shaqiri, Marko Grujic and Divock Origi capped a fine evening for the Premier League champions against lower-league opposition.

Tsimikas was handed a start in the absence of fellow left-back Andy Robertson, while Jota came off the bench for the final half an hour and looked a real livewire.

Klopp has indicated that the duo will face some time on the fringes of the squad in order to get up to speed with his tactical demands.

When asked if he was impressed by his new additions, Klopp told Sky Sports: "Yeah, absolutely, absolutely.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp reveals Diogo Jota and Kostas Tsimikas plan after Lincoln win
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp was pleased with new boys Jota and Tsimikas (Image: GETTY)

"It's not easy, in the game they closed the outside and Kostas is a really good footballer.

"We saw a few crosses from him but he has to adapt to what we do.

"Diogo, I wanted to give him 30 minutes actually, so was it a little bit longer?

"He was on the pitch and he was involved and all that stuff and I think everybody could see he was involved and some glimpses and all that stuff.

"It's all fine for the first game 100 per cent."

Jota has only been a Liverpool player for five days following his arrival from Wolves for £41million last weekend.

Meanwhile, Tsimikas came through the door in August from Olympiacos but his time at the club has been disrupted after he tested positive for COVID-19.

Speaking ahead of the clash, Klopp claimed he was always planning to use Jota from the bench as he looks to slowly embed him into his ranks.

"I think it makes sense that he just watches our game a little bit from the side and from the television," he said.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp reveals Diogo Jota and Kostas Tsimikas plan after Lincoln win
Diogo Jota came off the bench for Liverpool (Image: GETTY)

"He will come on 100 per cent, that's clear. I could have started him but I really want him to settle in.

"I want him to listen to the things we said in the three of four training sessions. That's the reason, no other."

Tsimikas and Jota could get another chance to shine next week when Liverpool host Arsenal in the fourth round.

The Reds beat the Gunners on penalties after a 5-5 thriller at Anfield last season and they face Mikel Arteta's side in Premier League action on Monday.