Thiago Alcântara – The Empire of The Kop

Fabrizio Romano finally answers Liverpool transfer question fans keep asking him about

Farrell Keeling — Thu, 30 Nov 2023 14:29:35 +0000

Thiago Alcantara’s future remains shrouded in mystery amid his ongoing wait on the sidelines owing to fitness concerns.

The Spaniard’s boots haven’t graced the pitch since April and his seen his return hit with delay after delay as setbacks littered his recovery efforts following a successful hip surgery.

Despite the January window representing Liverpool’s best chance of securing some value from the player before his contract expires next summer, however, the club appears to be set on holding their man.

“I’ve had some fans asking me about stories involving Thiago Alcantara and a surprise potential return to Barcelona this January,” Fabrizio Romano exclusively informed CaughtOffside.

“Of course we know that Barca are now short in midfield after the lengthy injury to Gavi, but it’s too early to know if they’re going to replace him, or who they could target.

“With Thiago, I’m not aware of concrete talks with Barca so far. As I previously reported, Barca’s priority is to register Vitor Roque before deciding on the midfielder situation. For now there are no changes, and no concrete developments on how to act with replacing Gavi.

“It’s also worth remembering that Thiago said no to Saudi clubs in July as he wanted to stay at Liverpool. As far as I’m aware there has been no change to his situation since then.”

Thiago’s last appearance for Liverpool came against West Ham in 2022/23 – (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Thiago’s last hurrah on Merseyside?

There’s a very good chance that Liverpool allow Thiago to run down his contract as they have previously with the likes of Gini Wijnaldum and Emre Can.

Prior to that point, of course, it would please many a fan if we could see the Spanish international showcase his talents for the second-half of the season.

The 32-year-old will continue to divide sections of the fanbase thanks to his poor injury record, though there’s no denying the sheer quality he brings.

If this is indeed his last hurrah, we’ll be sad to see him go – and not just for that gravity-defying daisycutter he slammed in past Porto!

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‘Some fans asking me…’ – Fabrizio Romano shares the latest on future of Liverpool ‘Rolls-Royce’

Liam Togher — Wed, 29 Nov 2023 08:37:40 +0000

Fabrizio Romano has shared his latest information on the possibility of a high-profile player exit from Liverpool in 2024.

Spanish journalist Gerard Romero claimed last week (via Barca Universal) that Thiago Alcantara is on a three-man shortlist at Barcelona, whose transfer focus is on midfield additions following the season-ending injury to Gavi.

The Reds maestro rose through the ranks at Camp Nou before winning the Champions League with the club, also lifting the trophy at Bayern Munich in 2020 shortly before his move to Anfield.

In his latest Daily Briefing for CaughtOffside, Romano addressed the possibility of the 32-year-old returning to Catalonia in the next few months.

The Italian stated: “I’ve had some fans asking me about stories involving Thiago Alcantara and a surprise potential return to Barcelona this January. Of course we know that Barca are now short in midfield after the lengthy injury to Gavi, but it’s too early to know if they’re going to replace him, or who they could target.

“It’s also worth remembering that Thiago said no to Saudi clubs in July as he wanted to stay at Liverpool. As far as I’m aware there has been no change to his situation since then.”

With Jurgen Klopp stating that Thiago isn’t due back from his ongoing injury problems until January at the earliest, a mid-season exit from Liverpool seems unlikely.

However, the midfielder hasn’t played in seven months, so even when he’s fit enough to feature again, he’ll probably need a few matches to get fully up to speed.

The likelihood is that the 32-year-old’s return to the fold will be implemented on a soft basis, with the former Spain international perhaps coming off the bench to provide a composed experienced head to see out results, rather than being thrust straight back into the starting line-up after being sidelined for so long.

His big-name nous could yet be crucial for Liverpool in the second half of the season, particularly if it ends up being a charge for multiple trophies like in 2021/22, and it mustn’t be forgotten that Thiago is an outstanding footballer who talkSPORT‘s Jim White previously dubbed a ‘Rolls-Royce of a player’.

That said, with his contract expiring next June – by which time he’ll be 33 – there’s a growing sense that this’ll be the ex-Barcelona midfielder’s final campaign at Anfield. Whether or not he returns to Camp Nou thereafter remains to be seen.

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‘Not looking good’: Glen Johnson says struggling Liverpool player’s days at Anfield are numbered

Farrell Keeling — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 07:33:12 +0000

Glen Johnson has suggested that Thiago Alcantara’s days at Liverpool are numbered following the arrival of four new midfielders.

The Spaniard has been sidelined by injury since April owing to a number of concerns and his most recent hip trouble.

“I love Thiago as a player, he’s technically world class, but he’s struggled with injuries and I think the Premier League caught him by surprise a bit,” the former defender told Squawka.

“He did have some fantastic games, but maybe the pace of the game was just a little bit too quick.

“I’m sure he’ll go on to have a good career elsewhere but with Liverpool signing all these players in midfield that can stay fit then it’s not looking good for his Liverpool career.”

The Merseysiders have since added Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch and Wataru Endo to their midfield department.

Has Thiago Alcantara struggled?

Criticism of Thiago’s performances in the famous red shirt is perhaps a little harsh.

The former Barcelona technician ultimately joined a Liverpool side devastated by injuries in the 2020/21 season and was forced to adjust his style of play to compensate.

Thiago Alcantara last in action for Liverpool – (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

We’ve seen more than glimpses of his brilliance from that point onwards amid a series of injury issues and niggles which have unquestionably been a source of great frustration.

If this is to be his last season playing for us, though, we certainly hope we’ll get one last good run out of Thiago in the new year.

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Surprise twist as report suggests Liverpool could now sell another midfielder in January

Farrell Keeling — Tue, 21 Nov 2023 17:02:09 +0000

Liverpool may opt to sell Thiago Alcantara in January to avoid losing the player for free in the summer.

This update comes courtesy of Mundo Deportivo (via Sport Witness), with the report speculating that Barcelona could come in for their former star man to fill a void left by Gavi’s injury.

The Spain international (19) is set to undergo knee surgery after suffering ‘a complete tear’ of the ACL in his right knee during a 3-1 win over Georgia (Guardian).

Speedy recovery, Gavi

It’s absolutely heartbreaking news for the player and his family and we wish him the speediest of recoveries.

Addressing the rumours linking our classy playmaker with a return to the Spanish top-flight, we have to question the benefit of picking up a small fee to lose the player early.

Heartbreak for Barcelona’s Gavi – (Photo by CESAR MANSO/AFP via Getty Images)

Some might be inclined to argue that it would be a financially prudent move, but it would seem a shame of epic proportions not to take advantage of Thiago’s quality for one final season.

If we can get him back fit on the pitch for the second half of the campaign, it’s arguably more valuable than the £5m or so fee we’d earn selling him in January.

That’s just our view, though!

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Four Liverpool players less than two months away from talks with European clubs for free transfer

Peter Kenny Jones — Wed, 15 Nov 2023 11:10:08 +0000

Liverpool watched a host of first-team players leave the club for free last summer and it seems that we may be set to see several more follow suit at the end of this season too.

As reported by The Express: ‘Liverpool have four players who are free to sign pre-contract agreements with other European clubs in January.

‘As players enter the final six months of their existing deals, they are able to speak to potential suitors about a free transfer in the summer’.

All the players in question have reason to think that they could fight for a place in our side next season, or for another top European club.

First up is Joel Matip, a player many expected could be edging towards the end of his Anfield career but after 12 appearances already this season and a place in the last Whoscored? team of the week – there’s a case to make that it’s worth offering him another year on Merseyside.

Next we have Thiago Alcantara, no doubt one of the most talented players within Jurgen Klopp’s squad but with his last appearance now nine months in the past – perhaps it is time that we accept a future without the Spaniard is most likely.

Penultimately is Adrian, although he’s not been given a place in our Europa League squad and is firmly our third-choice option in goal – we may struggle to find another option who is as eager to play for the Reds and as experienced.

Finally there’s perhaps the toughest decision in Conor Bradley, with Calvin Ramsay being sent to Preston on loan it did look like we would be playing the 20-year-old in cup competitions this season but injuries have hampered his chances of making an impression.

Certainly a few headaches ahead for the Reds but not long to go until those from around the continent can start shooting their shot.

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‘Staggering’ Liverpool player has interest from two clubs, but both have one big concern – report

Liam Togher — Mon, 13 Nov 2023 15:02:09 +0000

According to reports from Italy, one player at Liverpool is attracting interest from a pair of Serie A clubs, albeit with both sharing a significant concern over their mutual target.

TuttoJuve reported that Inter Milan and Juventus have eyes on a possible 2024 swoop for Thiago Alcantara, whose contract at Anfield expires next summer, thus making him available for a free transfer if he isn’t offered new terms before then.

However, while the Nerazzurri are willing to give him a two-year deal, it’d be for a substantially lower wage than what he’s currently earning. Meanwhile, the figures that the 32-year-old would supposedly seek appear to be out of reach for the Turin club.

Thiago is currently on £200,000 per week at Liverpool, making him the third-highest earner at Anfield. That amount would also put him third on Juve’s payroll, while it’s more than any player in the Inter squad (Capology).

It’s telling that, even with those two clubs well on course to qualify for the Champions League as the clear top two in Serie A, they both appear to have reservations over the pay packet the Spaniard is currently taking home each week.

With the midfielder turning 33 next April, and having not played for nearly seven months due to a long-term hip issue (Transfermarkt), it’s understandable why the Italian duo would be reluctant to offer him the same wage that he’s getting on Merseyside.

It also seems unlikely that Liverpool would present him with a new contract of a similar value, even for a player who was labelled ‘staggering’ by Michael Owen last year (BT Sport, via Daily Mail).

Thiago’s future is set to be a topic of discussion throughout the next few months, and right now it appears to be anyone’s guess as to where he’ll be playing his football by the autumn of 2024.

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Serie A duo could vie to sign Liverpool ace who’s ‘made a huge difference’ at Anfield – report

Liam Togher — Mon, 06 Nov 2023 19:21:24 +0000

According to reports from Italy, there are two clubs with designs on a potential swoop for a Liverpool midfielder next year.

Calciomercato claimed that Inter Milan and Juventus both have eyes on a possible raid for Thiago Alcantara on a free transfer, with the 32-year-old’s contract at Anfield expiring at the end of this season.

The Serie A rivals view the Reds magician as a technically gifted player who’d be financially attainable given that he could be snapped up without a fee being paid.

A January move is deemed unlikely given that the Spain international hasn’t played in more than six months and, as confirmed by Jurgen Klopp in recent days, won’t play again this side of New Year’s Day. Also, the manager is reluctant to sell him given what he can offer when fit.

It comes as no surprise that there are clubs already lining up a possible free transfer swoop for Thiago, who despite his ongoing injury woes is one of the most gifted players at Liverpool.

Following a masterful performance against Villarreal in the Champions League semi-finals in 2022, Jamie Carragher proclaimed that the midfielder ‘has possibly been one of the best players in the Premier League’ and ‘has made a huge difference’ at Anfield with his quality (CBS Sports, via HITC).

It’s a shame that the 32-year-old has been unable to feature for the Reds since April, but the club’s hierarchy may be looking at his worrying fitness record and his £200,000 weekly wage (third-highest at LFC, as per Capology) and pondering whether it’d be for the best to let him depart next summer.

It’s beginning to look as if an exit in 2024 is inevitable, but hopefully Thiago can give us a few more reminders of his ability before his time at Liverpool ends. In turn, he could prompt several more suitors to join Inter and Juventus in chasing what could be one of next year’s shrewdest free transfer pickups.

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Liverpool set to allow ‘Rolls-Royce’ player walk away for nothing; hasn’t started in 9 months

Liam Togher — Sat, 04 Nov 2023 12:30:08 +0000

Four senior players departed Liverpool on free transfers last summer, and another could be set to follow suit next June.

Football Insider reported that Thiago Alcantara is likely to leave Anfield at the end of this season upon the expiry of his contract, with the club not having any plans to offer him fresh terms beyond that.

The 32-year-old hasn’t played in the current campaign due to an ongoing hip injury, while his last start for the Reds came nine months ago today in a 3-0 defeat at Wolves (Liverpool Echo).

Football Insider added that the midfielder isn’t likely to have anyone come in for him in January because of his fitness woes, with the Spain international not expected back until the New Year.

With each passing week, there’s an increasing sense that Thiago’s time at Liverpool is meandering towards an anticlimactic end, rather than the glorious send-off that Bobby Firmino got when scoring on his final Anfield appearance last May.

The midfielder is the club’s third-highest earner on £200,000 per week (Capology) and hasn’t played since the win over West Ham in late April; and considering that he’ll turn 33 in that month next year, it’d make little sense for the Reds to keep him on the payroll beyond his contract expiring in June.

It may have been risky to sell him last summer amid the departures of several positional peers, but with Jurgen Klopp’s midfield wonderfully replenished in the meantime, LFC may now have the luxury to part ways with the 32-year-old.

Even if his time at Anfield has been overshadowed by injuries, it mustn’t be forgotten just how sublime a footballer he is, being justifiably dubbed a ‘Rolls-Royce’ by talkSPORT‘s Jim White after a 2-0 win over Watford in April 2022.

Thiago’s exit from Liverpool seems almost certain to happen next summer, but hopefully he can play enough of a part to see his time in Red end on the crescendo that his talent deserves, rather than fizzling out to anticlimax.

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Jurgen Klopp hints at when Thiago could make long-awaited return from injury for Liverpool

Liam Togher — Fri, 03 Nov 2023 10:46:14 +0000

Jurgen Klopp has hinted at when Thiago Alcantara could make his long-awaited comeback from injury for Liverpool.

The 32-year-old hasn’t played for the Reds since the last week of April, having been sidelined ever since due to a long-term hip problem, with flickering appearances in training not yet leading to a matchday return.

Speaking in Friday morning’s press conference ahead of the trip to Luton Town on Sunday, the manager told fans not to expect the midfielder back for the rest of 2023, vowing not to put ‘pressure’ on him to rush back after such a long time out of action.

Klopp said (via Liverpool Echo): “Thiago is an ongoing thing. We cannot put any pressure there as well. We expect him to be back start of the New Year. Another four weeks, I would say that is realistic. I can’t wait to have him back. No week on week update.”

Anyone who’s seen Thiago play for Liverpool will testify to how magnificent a footballer he is, but sadly injuries have plagued him throughout his three-and-a-bit years at the club so far.

His absence for portions of last season was a big blow, considering that several other midfield options were also nursing fitness problems, but thankfully Klopp’s depth in that area of the pitch is now so much better.

It could even be argued that, as fantastic as the 32-year-old is, he might face a battle to win back his place, such is the Reds’ strength in that position now following the quadruple swoop for Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister and Wataru Endo.

Still, even if Thiago is only a sporadic starter once he returns in the New Year, his top-level experience could be invaluable to Liverpool, all the more so having lost two veteran campaigners in Jordan Henderson and James Milner over the summer.

His return will also provide a welcome boost to squad depth for the second half of the season, when hopefully we’ll be in the thick of a title race and making our way into the latter stages of the Europa League, along with the possibility of prolonged domestic cup runs.

We’d obviously have liked him back sooner, but to use the cliche, he’ll nearly feel like a new signing once he’s available again, and what a fillip it could be for the Reds.

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‘Can you imagine?’ – Pep Lijnders names the player Liverpool are currently ‘missing’

Max Rudd — Tue, 31 Oct 2023 19:40:05 +0000

Pep Lijnders has named the one player who Liverpool are ‘missing’ a lot at the moment despite their strong start to the campaign.

The Reds, who travel to Bournemouth tomorrow night in the fourth round of the League Cup, currently find themselves fourth in the Premier League table – just three points adrift of league leaders Spurs – and top of their Europa League group with a 100% record.

Despite the promising performances and the impressive impact made by Liverpool’s four summer signings, assistant manager Lijnders believes the Anfield outfit can improve even further once Thiago Alcantara returns to fitness (in comments relayed by @neiljonesgoal on X).

Pep Lijnders on Thiago fitness

"We miss Thiago. I miss him a lot. can you imagine our midfield, our new players and then Thiago Alcantara in the middle as well, guiding everyone? We hope to get him back soon."#LFC

— Neil Jones (@neiljonesgoal) October 31, 2023

The Spaniard has not featured for Liverpool since the 2-1 defeat of West Ham back in April after sustaining a hip injury.

Despite now being the wrong side of 30 the ex-Barcelona and Bayern Munich man is one of the most talented players in Klopp’s squad.

He can dictate play from the middle of the park with his exceptional passing and reading of the game so it’s a huge blow to be without his services at the moment.

Our No. 6 is out of contract at the end of the season and with his disappointing injury record it’s unlikely that he will be offered a fresh deal.

Let’s hope we can get him back to full fitness sooner rather than later because on his day he’s a real game changer.

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(Video) Jurgen Klopp provides injury update on Thiago and Bajcetic ahead of Europa League clash

Peter Kenny Jones — Wed, 25 Oct 2023 13:57:07 +0000

Jurgen Klopp faced the media ahead of our game against Toulouse and provided a fitness update on several members of the squad, including Thiago Alcantara and Stefan Bajcetic.

In response to questions about both men, the German said: “No, not in team training.”

It’s a worry that we still don’t have a concrete update on either midfielder at this stage, especially after both of them ended the last campaign early through injury and have not yet made a full return.

Given Alexis Mac Allister being handed the responsibility of holding the No.6 role, the return of either man would certainly help the manager at this time.

You can view the update on Thiago and Bajcetic (from 1:55) via BeanymanSports on YouTube:

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Alongside Robertson: Jurgen Klopp confirms three other Liverpool injury absences for derby clash

Liam Togher — Fri, 20 Oct 2023 13:26:27 +0000

Jurgen Klopp has confirmed numerous Liverpool injury absences for the Merseyside derby against Everton on Saturday.

The big news from Friday afternoon’s press conference was that Andy Robertson will go for surgery on a shoulder injury, which realistically means he won’t play again this side of January, and the Scot isn’t the only Reds player who’ll have to watch on from afar tomorrow.

The LFC manager told reporters today (via Liverpool Echo) that Stefan Bajcetic, Thiago Alcantara and Ben Doak are all confirmed absentees for the game at Anfield, with an update of wait-and-see on Cody Gakpo, who’s trained once with the team in the run-up to the weekend’s fixture.

While Robertson is the only one of the confirmed absentees who, prior to the international break, would’ve been likely to start for Liverpool tomorrow, the others would all have been valuable options to have in reserve for the visit of Everton.

Klopp’s options had already been depleted by the suspension handed down to Curtis Jones, who also misses the Nottingham Forest game next weekend, so to be deprived of two other midfielders in Bajcetic and Thiago is far from ideal.

Their absences are all the more galling in a week where Alexis Mac Allister was playing a World Cup qualifier in Peru at 3am GMT on Wednesday, but luckily the Reds managed to get their South American players back much quicker this time than after September’s international window.

With that in mind, and Klopp coy on whether Gakpo will be able to feature tomorrow, we can expect to see Darwin Nunez leading the line, especially with the Uruguayan buoyed by scoring twice for his country in recent days.

There could well be some inexperienced names among the Liverpool substitutes on Saturday, but we’ve full trust that the manager will find a way to field a starting XI which’ll still be strong enough to maintain our 100% record at home so far this season.

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(Video) West Ham’s Kudus says LFC ace who hasn’t played this season is toughest he’s ever faced

Farrell Keeling — Tue, 17 Oct 2023 07:11:39 +0000

Mohammed Kudus has named Liverpool’s Thiago Alcantara as the toughest opponent he’s ever faced in the sport.

The now West Ham man recalled his experience playing against the classy Spanish midfielder during a Champions League clash between the Reds and Ajax.

Jurgen Klopp’s men won both group stage games against the Dutch outfit (with an aggregate score of 5-1) in their last two meetings, with the 23-year-old scoring at Anfield in 2022.

Credit where credit’s due, the Hammers have signed a top-class player, and we’re certainly still very fortunate to have a player of Thiago’s quality in our own squad.

We only hope we’ll get a chance to see him back in the famous red shirt this term amid ongoing injury issues.

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

Mohammed Kudus gives us his toughest opponent… pic.twitter.com/k4B7AYLZj5

— JD Football (@JDFootball) October 16, 2023

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Liverpool wizard’s days at Anfield could be numbered as fresh transfer update emerges – report

Farrell Keeling — Wed, 11 Oct 2023 20:58:30 +0000

Thiago Alcantara’s days at Liverpool could be numbered amid alleged interest from Xavi’s Barcelona.

One report has claimed the Reds midfielder is one of several names on the table at the La Liga giants, with the Spaniard’s current terms set to expire in the summer of 2024.

“Xavi is a big fan of Kimmich, with Arsenal’s Jorginho, Liverpool’s Thiago Alcantara and Real Betis’ Guido Rodríguez some of the other names on the table,” Sam Marsden and Moises Llorens reported for ESPN.

The former Blaugrana man has yet to make an appearance for Jurgen Klopp’s men after being sidelined following surgery on a hip issue that kept him out of selection in the final weeks of the prior campaign.

Subsequent setbacks in his rehab have further delayed his return to the pitch for the Merseysiders, and it remains unclear whether there are any plans to extend his stay at L4 beyond 2024.

Hopefully, fans will be treated to the sight of the technical midfielder on the pitch after the international break. In the meantime, Amazon Slots could keep supporters entertained during the international break with a host of exclusive casino games, not to mention plenty of great offers for first-time players.

Thiago Alcantara’s future…

Thiago Alcantara is sure to divide Liverpool fans over his Anfield stay if he should depart the club in the next summer window.

There will be those who consider the Spaniard one of the greatest technicians to have graced the pitch in the famous red shirt following on from his switch away from Bayern Munich.

Others, of course, will feel inclined to point out the 32-year-old’s dismal injury record – having missed 82 games for club and country – since the 2020/21 campaign.

Even for those firmly in the latter camp, it can’t be ignored that Thiago has played a key part in memorable victories for us – chief amongst them, perhaps, being the dismantling of Manchester United last year.

As far as we at Empire of the Kop are concerned, we wouldn’t be opposed to the idea of the former Munich star being handed another year and remaining as the most experienced member of Liverpool’s midfield department.

We’d imagine that may come at the cost of a potential pay cut, though it would certainly be worthwhile to retain one of the most technically gifted footballers in world football.

Of course, we can appreciate it’s a tough call given we’re already in October and we’ve yet to see Thiago in action this season!

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LaLiga giants eyeing potential 2024 swoop for ‘intelligent’ Liverpool maestro – report

Liam Togher — Wed, 11 Oct 2023 09:55:28 +0000

Liverpool could be facing transfer interest from a prominent LaLiga club in one of their players, according to reports.

ESPN have claimed that Barcelona are on the lookout for defensive midfield recruits, with Thiago Alcantara one of the names who’s ‘on the table’ at Camp Nou.

The Spanish champions’ financial situation leaves them targeting free agents or players approaching the end of their contracts, and the 32-year-old falls into the latter category, with his deal at Anfield expiring in eight months’ time.

The lure of a return to Barcelona could obviously appeal to Thiago, all the more so now that they’re managed by his former teammate Xavi, with the pair winning the Champions League together in 2011 under Pep Guardiola.

The 32-year-old is the third-highest earner on Liverpool’s books, taking home £200,000 per week (Capology), although he hasn’t played in nearly six months due to an ongoing injury concern.

There was speculation that the Reds could cash in on him over the summer, but having lost a plethora of experienced midfielders with comparatively few signings made until the final two weeks of the transfer window, the club may have been very reluctant to part with him.

Also, it shouldn’t be forgotten how just brilliant a player Thiago is when fit, with Rio Ferdinand having dubbed him ‘an intelligent guy’ while on punditry duty in 2022 (Daily Mail).

Nonetheless, his age, contract situation and injury record – along with the enviable depth we now have in midfield – could make the Anfield hierarchy think about possibly sanctioning his departure next year, even if it’s a decision not to be made lightly.

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