Liverpool fullback Kostas Tsimikas has paid tribute to former sports director Michael Edwards.

Tsimikas was signed by Edwards, who left Liverpool at the end of last season.

The Greece defender told Gazzetta: "Usually these people do everything.

"He (Edwards) has made a lot of important changes in the team, very important transfers. He brought me here too and I'm very happy about it. Because if it wasn't for that man and the entire scouting department of the team, I wouldn't be here.

"I think that if it wasn't for him, the team wouldn't have reached where it is now, with all the trophies it has won. So I, in turn, and the team thank him very much for what he did for all of us."

Of his own situation, Tsimikas also stated: "This is very difficult for me. Because many times I come here happy, full, ready to give everything. I go out on the field, I give everything and in the end I don't play and that's not easy.

"I understand, we are 22 players, we can't all play. It's very difficult and people can't understand it, because people only see how much money the footballer gets, what a life he leads and all this. For me this is the most difficult, at times you have to come to terms with some situations that make you feel very disadvantaged.

"You ask yourself 'what do I need to do more of? What do I need to improve on? Am I not good?'. And that's how all the problems start."

As for his future, he added: "Liverpool is the team that has raised me in football. From the people who work in the club, to the chefs, you see that everyone is equal, they see you as a person here. From day one they hugged me tight, loved me, showed me the way, everything I want is here. There is no better atmosphere in a team I think. So, I haven't thought about it (leaving)."