Mo Salah was left shrugging his frustrations after a half-time chat with Kostas Tsimikas.

The Greek international was spotted deep in conversation with the Egyptian King with the Reds entering the break in the lead at 1-0.

It’s unclear whether the pair were discussing the former Roma man’s surprising chipped miss in the first 45 or the failure to send off an Atalanta player for a blatant denial of a goalscoring opportunity.

Frustrating either way!

You can catch the clip below, courtesy of @fotosynde:

What was Tsimi saying to Mo here? pic.twitter.com/kqpWvEvPWY

— Empire of the Kop (@empireofthekop) April 18, 2024

The post (Video) Watch what Tsimikas and Mo Salah were spotted doing at HT vs Atalanta appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

There are only four home ties remaining before Jurgen Klopp calls time on his trophy-laden Liverpool career.

Let that sink in! The home support made sure to make the manager and his title-chasing outfit feel appreciated with an emotional rendition of You’ll Never Walk Alone before kick-off.

It certainly appeared to mean a great deal to the manager, who was seen watching on proudly – with Kostas Tsimikas singing along behind him – ahead of our league meeting with Sheffield United.

You can catch the clip below, courtesy of TNT Sports:

Kostas Tsimikas singing You’ll Never Walk Alone from the bench 🥹

@tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/0wGAyhTWII

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 4, 2024

The post (Video) What Klopp & Tsimikas did on bench during emotional YNWA appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

There might be another five days to go before Liverpool resume their Premier League campaign, but Reds fans could be kept busy tonight with a host of Reds players set to represent their countries.

No fewer than 13 members of Jurgen Klopp’s squad could be in action over the next 12 hours or so, with most partaking in friendlies but one hoping to punch a ticket to a major tournament this summer.

We’ve looked at the baker’s dozen of LFC players who’ll be on international duty this evening and tonight, picking out a series of compelling narratives involving a few of those set to take to the pitch for their country.

FOLLOW Empire of the Kop on Instagram (@empireofthekop) HERE

Could Kostas be off to Germany?

At 5pm UK time, Georgia and Greece face off in Tbilisi, with both hoping to become the 22nd team to secure a place at Euro 2024.

Kostas Tsimikas will be in action for the visitors as he seeks a first major tournament appearance for his country, who last played on the big stage in the World Cup in Brazil a decade ago.

Should the Greeks qualify this evening, the Liverpool left-back could find himself up against clubmate Diogo Jota in the summer, as the winners of this match join Portugal, Turkey and Czechia in Group F at the finals in June.

READ MORE: Liverpool eyeing move for German prodigy; has one thing in common with 3 Reds youngsters

Another chance for Elliott to fill his boots…and finally get the nod from Southgate?

Harvey Elliott quite enjoyed his most recent outing with England’s under-21s, scoring twice in their 5-1 win away to Azerbaijan last Friday, which took them a step closer to qualification for the European finals in 2025 as they seek to retain the trophy.

The Liverpool gem will fancy his chances of adding to his international tally tonight as Lee Carsley’s side host Luxembourg, which could present an opportunity for another convincing victory.

If the 20-year-old nets another brace and continues his fine form at club level, he’ll surely become impossible for Gareth Southgate to ignore when selecting the Three Lions squad for Euro 2024 – or so you’d like to think.

Friendship set aside for a couple of hours

Conor Bradley spoke glowingly about the helpful advice he’s been receiving from fellow Liverpool full-back Andy Robertson, although their friendship and camaraderie will be put to one side for a couple of hours tonight.

The elder of the two will be on the home side as Scotland continue their preparations for Euro 2024 against Northern Ireland, with the young right-back set to win his 15th senior cap – nearly as many games as he’s played for the Reds’ first team.

We know that both men will be fully committed once they cross the white line – just go easy on each other if you find yourself duelling, lads!

READ MORE: Liverpool fans may be despairing over news that’s been confirmed today for Brighton clash

Could Liverpool duo be facing their next club boss?

We still don’t know who’ll be in charge of Virgil van Dijk and Cody Gakpo at Liverpool next season, although one man who’s been touted as a possible successor to Klopp will be hoping to get one over on the Reds duo tonight.

Netherlands are in Frankfurt to take on Germany, who of course are under the stewardship of Julian Nagelsmann.

The ex-Bayern Munich manager has been touted among the contenders to potentially replace his fellow countryman in the Anfield dugout – will LFC’s Dutchmen be about to come up against their future boss?

A nervous night awaits by the Mediterranean

From a potential future Liverpool manager to the current one…Klopp will be crossing his fingers that all of his players come through the night unscathed, and he may be keeping an especially nervous eye on one man in particular.

Ibrahima Konate missed the Reds’ last three matches with a hamstring injury, although it’s been reported that he’s set to feature for France in their game against Chile in Marseille (Daily Mail).

His club boss won’t be overly keen on seeing the 24-year-old lining out in an international friendly so soon after being sidelined, and with a hectic and pivotal run-in to the season just around the corner.

EOTK Insider with Neil Jones: Michael Edwards and a multi-club model, Alonso’s Liverpool-esque moment and much more!

The post Captain v future boss? – 5 things to look out for among Liverpool players on international duty tonight appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

Very few players in world football can make Mo Salah look decidedly foolish, but Kostas Tsimikas managed it prior to Liverpool’s 1-1 draw against Manchester City on Sunday, and the Greek Scouser milked it for everything it was worth!

During the Reds pre-match rondo, the Egyptian was the man in the middle trying to dispossess his teammates in a circle around him.

A series of slick one-touch passes culminated in the left-back casually nutmegging the 31-year-old, who could only throw his arms aloft in acceptance of defeat.

Tsimikas duly tore off as if he’d just scored a last-minute winner before leaping on top of Salah, who clearly enjoyed his teammate’s gleeful reaction to that piece of trickery.

Taking the mick out of one of the best players in the world? Put it right up there with scoring the winning penalty in the 2022 FA Cup final!

You can view Tsimikas nutmegging Salah (and his subsequent reaction) below, via @ThePaulMachin on X (formerly Twitter):

Kostas just megged Mo in the warmup! @TheRedmenTV pic.twitter.com/IYuS2DYSH2

— Paul (Maych) Machin (@ThePaulMachin) March 10, 2024

The post (Video) Kostas Tsimikas absolutely loved taking the mick out of Mo Salah during pre-match rondo appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

Darwin Nunez sent Liverpool fans into a frenzy with his late winner against Nottingham Forest but it’s fair to say that the home supporters were not as pleased, something Kostas Tsimikas quickly found out.

Whilst the Reds celebrated the goal, videos from within the City Ground show the moment a fan runs onto the pitch and is confronted with the Greek Scouser.

READ MORE: (Video) Harvey Elliott wearing Origi’s shirt and carrying young fan, salutes travelling Liverpool supporters

It’s clear that it was Paul Tierney who was the focus of the angered individual but again calls into question how easy it is for people to come onto the pitch.

The safety of our players was at risk and you have to wonder what any stewards were doing at this time.

You can watch Tsimikas, Tierney and the fan (from 0:40) via @Andrew_Heaton on X:

Spun the vid the right way round but can’t claim credit, this is fucking boss from @Patchwrightt pic.twitter.com/BcfDG5LVMn

— Andy Heaton (@Andrew_Heaton) March 2, 2024

EOTK Insider: A tribute to Alex South; a remarkable man with a special Kop moment

The post (Video) Forest fan confronts Tsimikas on pitch after Nunez winner appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

Kostas Tsimikas will go down as one of the most beloved Liverpool squad players of the Jurgen Klopp era.

His – ahem – shall we say, interesting, goal celebration after Virgil van Dijk scored the winner for the Reds in the Carabao Cup final will have certainly raised eyebrows from the fanbase and quite a few chuckles!

The Merseysiders have secured a record-extending 10th League Cup at Wembley.

You can catch the clip below, courtesy of @FootyHumour:

Tsimikas with the most sus celebration this season pic.twitter.com/WxULqqXxhW

— Footy Humour (@FootyHumour) February 25, 2024

The post (Video) Tsimikas’ x-rated goal celebration with Van Dijk will have every fan in tears appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

Liverpool have a lot of talented players within our squad but left-footed options are always a premium within football and Cody Gakpo and Curtis Jones have named the man with the best one in our dressing room.

Ahead of the Carabao Cup final, the pair were selecting the player that best fitted the provided titles and when it came to this choice – the decision was quickly agreed upon.

READ MORE: (Video) Gakpo and Jones argue over who is the quickest player in Liverpool’s squad

Kostas Tsimikas was the name on their lips, with the Dutchman saying: “Kostas is amazing” – it’s no surprise that we’ve seen him firing beauties in during training too.

It shows a clear appreciation from the left-back’s teammates, surely Andy Robertson will now have a point to prove too!

You can watch Gakpo and Jones’s comments on Tsimikas via @Carabao_Cup on X:

Watch @curtisjr_10 and Cody Gakpo agree/disagree as they try to build the perfect player from their @LFC teammates! #EFL | #CarabaoCup pic.twitter.com/CqwhUbz1dd

— Carabao Cup (@Carabao_Cup) February 13, 2024

EOTK Insider: A tribute to Alex South; a remarkable man with a special Kop moment

The post (Video) Gakpo and Jones make unanimous decision about best left foot for Liverpool; not Robertson appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

Fresh from being named the man with the best left foot for Liverpool, Kostas Tsimikas showed off his skills in training.

Taking part in a three-shot challenge from the edge of the box, the Greek Scouser dispatched a hat-trick of goals in impressive style.

READ MORE: (Image) Liverpool fans will worry as 25-year-old missing from training pictures

After recieving acclaim from his teammates, the left-back was then encouraged to deliver a speech to camera and he was happy to oblige.

It’s safe to say the finishes were better than the words but it just shows the infectious positive character that the 27-year-old is.

You can watch the video of Tsimikas via @LFC on X:

Come for the hat-trick… stay for the speech #TeamPixel | #Ad pic.twitter.com/hpFhF7Em36

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) February 13, 2024

EOTK Insider: A tribute to Alex South; a remarkable man with a special Kop moment

The post (Video) Tsimikas delivers speech to camera after impressive training ground feat appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

Kostas Tsimikas is closing in on a return to action after breaking his collarbone during the draw with Arsenal in December.

The Greek international appears to be in good spirits after being spotted dancing in a rather unique fashion in the gym at the AXA Training Centre.

READ MORE: Chris Sutton says Liverpool have just received a huge ‘blow’ as Burnley prediction is made

Virgil van Dijk was completing a workout on the bike and was being entertained by the Greek Scouser who was pulling off all sorts of move in front of him.

The spirit amongst the squad is brilliant to see and that often results in impressive performances from the team on the pitch.

Let’s hope we can return to winning ways against Burnley at Anfield tomorrow after our disappointing defeat to the Gunners last time out.

Check Tsimikas’ antics below via @AnythingLFC_ on X:

What is Tsimikas doing pic.twitter.com/WMEpigYmXP

— Anything Liverpool (@AnythingLFC_) February 8, 2024

The post (Video) Liverpool fans will be in stitches after seeing Kostas Tsimikas’ antics in the gym appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

Jurgen Klopp has shared a positive update on one injured Liverpool player ahead of the FA Cup fourth round tie against Norwich on Sunday.

The Reds have been without Kostas Tsimikas for the past month after he broke his collarbone during the draw at home to Arsenal at Christmas, and it was initially feared that the 27-year-old could be ruled out for a lengthy period.

However, he now seems to be on the cusp of returning to action, with the LFC manager declaring in his press conference on Thursday afternoon (via Ian Doyle): “Kostas is actually fit and is just waiting for the green light. The bone takes longer (to heal). He hasn’t been out long from training, same as Trent and Dom.”

Klopp: Kostas is actually fit and is just waiting for the green light. The bone takes longer (to heal). He hasn't been out long from training, same as Trent and Dom

— Ian Doyle (@IanDoyleSport) January 25, 2024

READ MORE: Liverpool have eyes on ‘amazing’ £60m brute as Anfield stalwart’s long-term successor

READ MORE: Jurgen Klopp and Adrian share what they thought of Liverpool fans’ banner at Craven Cottage

Liverpool were given a big boost with Andy Robertson’s inclusion in the matchday squad for the Carabao Cup clash away to Fulham last night after three months out with a shoulder injury, although the 29-year-old remained an unused substitute.

Nonetheless, to have him back and Tsimikas nearing a return has seen our depth of left-back options go from sparse to well-stocked in a very short space of time.

The Greek defender will have to contend with the Scotland captain for a starting berth, while Joe Gomez hasn’t put a foot wrong throughout his sequence of games on the left flank in the recent absence of that duo, so competition for places could be fierce.

Klopp didn’t put a specific timeframe on when the 27-year-old would be given the go-ahead to resume playing, so it remains guesswork as to when the Reds’ number 21 will make his comeback.

However, for Tsimikas to be on the verge of returning little more than a month after breaking his collarbone seemed a remote possibility at the time of the injury, so today’s news is a huge positive for LFC.

EOTK Insider with Neil Jones: Ousmane Diomande latest, Liverpool MUST keep one man fit, what Klopp needs from next centre-back signing and much more!

The post ‘Waiting for the green light’ – Klopp gives positive Liverpool injury update ahead of Norwich appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

We’ve all been delighted with the performances of Joe Gomez at left-back but we’re desperate to see a recognised senior option in the position, something Kostas Tsimikas can certainly call himself.

Speaking with the press before the Carabao Cup semi-final, Pep Lijnders said: “Kostas is now four weeks after surgery, so he needs probably two more weeks because we need to make sure that the bone is strong and the bone is healed before he goes into first-team training.”

READ MORE: (Video) Curtis Jones ‘hamstring tendon’ injury confirmed by Pep Lijnders

With positive news also being delivered for Andy Robertson, as much as we’re happy to have the Greek Scouser back – he will no doubt be disheartened that he’s missed a rare chance for extra game time.

Add onto the fact it was a partial clash with Jurgen Klopp on the sideline against Arsenal that caused this shoulder problem in the first case, it’s been a painfully unfortunate time for the full-back.

You can watch Lijnders update on Tsimikas via Liverpool FC on YouTube:

EOTK Insider: A tribute to Alex South; a remarkable man with a special Kop moment

The post (Video) Kostas Tsimikas surgery comeback update provided ahead of semi-final appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

With Andy Robertson being out of the side, it was a real blow to also lose Kostas Tsimikas as well but there’s now been an update on when we will see the Greek Scouser back on the pitch.

Speaking on The Liverpool Connection Podcast, James Pearce said: “Tsimikas is kind of a fair bit ahead of schedule because, I think, when he broke his collar bone initially, you know, the talk was, ‘well you know, back end of February probably, before we saw him back’. So, good news with that.”

READ MORE: (Video) ‘Pretty positive’ injury update for Robertson as full training looms – Pearce

Joe Gomez has been a more than able deputy for the position but we’re all praying for the return of either of our ‘natural’ left-back options, to add more cover for the role.

No doubt the 27-year-old will also be gutted to not be able to play whilst the captain of Scotland is also injured, so let’s hope he’s back on the pitch soon.

You can view Pearce’s comments on Tsimikas (from 17:39) via The Liverpool Connection Podcast & ATX Reds Press on YouTube:

Anfield Annals: Tom Wyllie – Liverpool’s first ever player and derby scorer

The post (Video) Kostas Tsimikas update after broken collar bone; end of Feb was initial fear – Pearce appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

James Milner has revealed why one of his Liverpool teammates was annoyed with him after the Reds’ victory over Chelsea in the 2022 FA Cup final.

It was the second time that season that Jurgen Klopp’s side defeated the Blues in a penalty shootout to win domestic silverware at Wembley, with the decisive spot kick converted by Kostas Tsimikas.

Now playing at Brighton, the 38-year-old harked back to that triumph from two years ago in a guest appearance on Football’s Greatest with Jeff Stelling, and he explained why the £75,000-per-week defender (Capology) ‘had the hump’ with him after the penalties.

Milner said: “I haven’t got a target [for retirement]. I think you just take every game and enjoy every game you come into… Is it my last Premier League game? Is it my last European game? You never know, so I’m just trying to enjoy and take it in.

“I felt that more towards the end with Liverpool when we won trophies, just taking things in that you wouldn’t think about before. I would watch the boys’ reaction when we won the title, standing at the back of the room and watching the Chelsea game and watching everyone in front of me and how they were reacting.

“That was special and you wouldn’t normally do that, but I was fortunate enough to have done it before so I just wanted to enjoy it. When we won the cup at Wembley I was watching the fans’ reaction when Kostas scored the penalty.

“Kostas had the hump with me because he thought I couldn’t watch his penalty because I had no faith in him! But I wanted to watch the fans’ reaction when it went in. It’s the little things like that and I’ve been lucky enough to be able to experience them.”

READ MORE: Liverpool could land ‘phenomenal’ 22y/o from EPL club this month if they stump up £50m

READ MORE: Meetings held: Liverpool officials have flown out to discuss 18y/o who’s generating ‘huge’ interest

Milner was 36 at the time of that FA Cup final against Chelsea and was coming into the final year of his contract at Liverpool, where he’d already won five trophies, so he could be forgiven for wanting to take in the fans’ reaction during the penalty shootout.

By contrast, it was only the second time Tsimikas had tasted silverware at Anfield, having come to the club a few weeks after the Premier League triumph in 2020, so he missed out on much of the success that the Reds have had under Klopp.

Maybe the Greek Scouser hadn’t realised his then-teammate’s motivations for not watching his decisive penalty at Wembley and taken it up the wrong way, but we’re sure that the two of them patched up any lingering dissatisfaction between them before long.

Perhaps there’s a lesson in there for the current Liverpool squad – if Kostas has the chance to win a penalty shootout again, have faith in him and try not to look away (or at least don’t let him catch you doing so!).

EOTK FPL Gameweek 20 Review : Kevin De Bruyne vs Michael Olise? Don’t sell Salah, Estupinan vs Trent? The WILDCARD pick managers must consider

The post £75k-p/w Liverpool ace didn’t like one thing James Milner did in cup final triumph v Chelsea appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

Mo Salah is remarkably good at football but it seems that he’s also got plenty of other talents, something which Kostas Tsimikas quickly found out.

In a video for the club’s X account, the pair were tasked with playing Daruma Otoshi which is a Japanese game.

READ MORE: (Image) Liverpool attacker spotted in La Liga crowd during Anfield break

After first watching the Greek Scouser struggle to complete the task of hitting blocks, our Egyptian King stepped up for some first-time success.

This will surely lead to every supporter stating that our No.11 can excel at anything he puts his mind to!

You can watch the video of Salah and Tsimikas via @LFC on X:

Who was the winner?

A few weeks ago, Kostas and Mo tried one of the Japanese New Year games, Daruma Otoshi! @LFCJapan pic.twitter.com/Fh8MnkSbai

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) January 15, 2024

Anfield Annals: John Smith – Liverpool’s Red Knight and Most Successful Chairman

The post (Video) Every Liverpool fan will say same thing about Mo Salah after Japanese game video appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.

Pep Lijnders has shared a hopeful update on two Liverpool players currently working their way back towards returning from injury.

Andy Robertson has been sidelined since October following surgery on a shoulder problem, and fellow left-back Kostas Tsimikas suffered a broken collarbone just before Christmas, forcing Joe Gomez to deputise in that position in recent games.

Jurgen Klopp’s assistant spoke to the media this afternoon ahead of the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Fulham on Wednesday night, and he outlined the projected next steps for the injured duo.

Lijnders said (via Liverpool Echo): “We have Robbo, he’s almost at the three-month mark, so he will get checked by the surgeon.

“If he does that scan and we see everything [so] that we can really progress him, he will go to Dubai for a week to do proper volume sessions, proper sessions, so that will be good for him. Then we see the three-month mark scan and then we can see how quick he can go into contact again.

“Same for Kostas. Kostas is progressing really well, really quick, so hopefully both of them – Robbo and Kostas – will be back at the end of this month to train with the team.”

READ MORE: ‘Sidelined for a few weeks’ – Journalist confirms news of major injury blow for Liverpool

READ MORE: Neil Jones claims one ‘world-class player’ at Anfield is already ‘among the greats of Liverpool’

If Robertson and Tsimikas are both back in team training by the end of this month, as per the target outlined by Lijnders, it offers hope that we could see them returning to match action in February.

As it stands, Liverpool have five more fixtures to fulfil in January, including both Carabao Cup ties against Fulham and a Premier League clash at home to Chelsea.

Gomez will surely start each of those (assuming he remains free from injury), but with Trent Alexander-Arnold also sidelined due to a tear in the lateral ligament of his knee, Klopp will be forced to throw a youngster such as Conor Bradley in at the deep end over the coming weeks.

The Northern Ireland international seems very capable of making the step up, but it’s still worrying to have so many senior full-backs all ruled out at the same time, and it seems inevitable that transfer links to players in that position will surface between now and the end of the month.

Fingers crossed that everything will progress as hoped regarding Robertson and Tsimikas, and that the Liverpool vice-captain will also be back in action soon. Until then, the onus is on others to come good when the Reds need them most.

#Ep98 of The Empire of the Kop Podcast: EOTK Insider with Neil Jones

The post ‘Hopefully both…’ – Lijnders sets timeline for injured Liverpool duo ‘progressing’ towards return appeared first on The Empire of The Kop.