Kostas Tsimikas, the Greece left-back, has expressed his confidence in his Liverpool teammate, Trent Alexander-Arnold, ahead of their encounter in the Nations League on Thursday. Tsimikas believes that Alexander-Arnold’s performance on the field speaks volumes and has backed him to excel as Interim England manager Lee Carsley has reinstated him as the right-back.
Alexander-Arnold, who has been shifted around various midfield positions under former manager Gareth Southgate, has now solidified his role as a right-back under Carsley’s leadership. Tsimikas commended Alexander-Arnold’s resilience and dedication, stating that his recent performances for Liverpool have been outstanding and warrant his position as the number one right-back.
The Greece international, with over 50 Premier League appearances since joining Liverpool in 2020, is familiar with facing tough opponents and acknowledges England’s talented squad. He emphasised the need for Greece to be fully prepared and focused in their upcoming match against the Euro 2024 runners-up.
Greece coach Ivan Jovanovic also praised England’s football achievements under Southgate but noted the team’s shift in style under Carsley’s management. Jovanovic highlighted England’s possession-based play and increased creative freedom for players like Bukayo Saka and Anthony Gordon. He recognises the challenge of facing England as a valuable opportunity to gauge Greece’s performance against top-tier teams.
As both teams gear up for their clash at Wembley, Jovanovic emphasised that the match is not a tourist visit but a competitive game. With England considered one of the best teams globally, the upcoming match serves as a crucial test for Greece to assess their progress against elite opposition.
In light of these developments, the encounter between Greece and England promises to be a thrilling display of talent and strategy, with both teams aiming for victory on the international stage.