Daily Star

Champs net Kost

- ■ by DAVID MADDOCK

KOSTAS TSIMIKAS last night completed his £11.75m move to Liverpool after agreeing a £40,000-a-week five-year deal with the champions.

The Greece left-back, 24, finalised the deal yesterday after passing a medical.

And after signing a contract that will be heavily incentivis­ed, he revealed how his big brother pressed him into the Anfield move.

“My brother is a Liverpool fan and he pushed me to come here and sign,” he said.

“As a kid, I supported Liverpool. All my family are very happy for this.

“My brother doesn’t believe I’m here. When he sees the pictures he will understand I’ve signed here and will be very happy.

“I’m very proud. For me, it’s the biggest club in the world. It’s an honour to be here.”

BRUNO FERNANDES kept his cool from the spot to send Manchester United into the Europa League semi-finals.

The Portuguese superstar has not missed a penalty in four-and-ahalf years and kept that record intact in the 95th minute.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side were far from their best, facing stubborn foes who bridged the gulf in class with organisati­on and fight.

As the game edged towards extra time, United stepped up a level, but the stifling Cologne heat took its toll.

Having secured a Champions League place via the Premier League, the motivation was winning a first trophy under Solskjaer.

But United’s players, despite an improved second-half display, struggled

AFTER EXTRA-TIME to break down their opponents. Everything the men in red threw at them, Copenhagen kept out.

Including a goal-bound effort from Anthony Martial eight minutes from the end of normal time, which was saved by Karl-johan Johnsson.

In the opposite dugout to Solskjaer was his former Norway team-mate and friend Stale Solbakken.

The ex-wolves boss was not confident of a win, telling people, ‘Don’t put your house on us.’” Solskjaer stuck with his Europa League goalkeeper

Sergio Romero, with No.1 David de Gea on the bench, with the rest of United’s establishe­d stars returning after being rested for last week’s LASK tie.

Despite Solbakken’s prematch pessimism, Copenhagen conjured a chance inside the first 15 minutes, Jens Stage crossing for Mohamed Daramy, who was unable to connect from six yards.

United were lucky not to concede in the 17th minute when Fred gave away possession cheaply. He was let off the hook when Harry Maguire and Eric Bailly thwarted the attack.

The Danes sensed Fred’s vulnerabil­ity as the deeper-lying midfielder and pressed him relentless­ly.

Solskjaer’s side continued to live dangerousl­y, Aaron Wan-bissaka’s under-hit pass was intercepte­d by

 ??  ?? BUMPER NIGHT: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with rival boss Stale Solbakken
HAMMER BLOW: Bruno Fernandes thumps in the penalty to put United on the way
BUMPER NIGHT: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with rival boss Stale Solbakken HAMMER BLOW: Bruno Fernandes thumps in the penalty to put United on the way

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