Liverpool, Jurgen Klopp is going to need Thiago Alcantara

A team ravaged by injuries and under-performances, Liverpool is still delivering results but their in-game performances have been worried. The mix of the calendar, the injuries and the lack of rest between seasons has been too much for the Reds, so Thiago Alcantara, fresh from Covid-19 and an injury, could make a difference this season.

When Liverpool signed Thiago Alcantara from Bayern Munich, the reasoning was very simple: he is a world class player that is going to bring up the team’s level even higher. A midfielder that adds something different to an already very complete squad.

Well, considering that Liverpool’s season has been everything but smooth, manager Jurgen Klopp should be happy that they got Thiago Alcantara. This season Liverpool has been struggling massively with injuries, especially in the defense, which has led Jordan Henderson and Fabinho, usually two midfielders, to play as center-backs. This is a big issue because there is a considerable difference in quality between Liverpool’s starters and backups, which could hamper the team’s ambitions for the rest of the season. This is where the Thiago Alcantara variable enters the game.

The Spaniard is not only a phenomenal player, but he is also a very different profile to what Jurgen Klopp has in his squad. While the rest of the midfielders are hardworking players, tracking back, do a lot of tackling and balance the team’s offensive output, Thiago is all about the pass, the distribution and adding creativity to the team. This type of profile is very important for Liverpool because they not only have someone that can maintain a level of high quality in midfield, but also someone that can change their usual football style a bit and make them a bit more unpredictable. Their creativity mostly comes from their full-backs, Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold, so having another creator is a good thing for them.

It is a very long season and despite having suffered Covid-19 and injuries himself, Thiago Alcantara might prove to be a key player in the second half of the season.