Things have not gone all Thiago Alcantara's way at Liverpool.
Arriving at Anfield in the 2020 to a huge amount of fanfare, his debut season at the club did not go the way he would have hoped. The player struggled with injuries for much of the campaign, only really finding his feet as Jurgen Klopp's side made that late push to finish in the top four.
The beginning to this season was interrupted by injury once again, but there have been some signs that the Spaniard is coming into form. He scored an absolute corker against Porto in midweek, followed up by another goal this afternoon in a 4-0 victory over Southampton.
𝙏𝙃𝙄𝙎 𝙂𝙊𝘼𝙇. 𝙏𝙃𝙀𝙎𝙀 𝘼𝙉𝙂𝙇𝙀𝙎. 👌
Enjoy Thiago's finish, Liverpool fans? 🔴#LIVPOR #UCL pic.twitter.com/vn7u15eXku— Watch the UCL on LiveScore 🇮🇪 (@LiveScoreIE) November 24, 2021
Despite this, not all are convinced that he will thrive at Liverpool.
Speaking on Premier Sports after the win over Southampton, Kenny Cunningham and Neil Lennon said they were unsure if he fit in this side under Klopp's brand of football. In fact, Cunningham said he has doubts about Thiago's reputation as one of the most outstanding midfielders in the modern game.
Cunningham: This is what I actually like to see (for the goal), in and around the opposition box because he's willing to take responsibilities in this area. We saw it in midweek against Porto...
Like Neil said, it wasn't a particularly impressive performance from him (today). He is usually very efficient in possession, that wasn't the case from him today. But that was a moment of quality from him in the first half.
Lennon: His goal against Porto on Wednesday was wonderful, but I don't think he dominates the game the way a Rodri does for Man City, or a Jorginho or Kante (for Chelsea)...
Don't get me wrong, I'm not criticising him as a player. He's a world class player in the right sort of team, I just don't think he fits the profile for a Liverpool midfielder for the way Klopp wants to play.
Cunningham: I think world class is a stretch. I think it's a stretch.
I think he's very good technically and a very good ball playing player. But it depends.
Lennon: Maybe he was world class but not he's coming to the end of his career? It was only two seasons ago that he was winning the Champions League with Bayern Munich.
Cunningham: He was spoilt in that Bayern Munich team, he had all the toys to play with. This is a different team.
Lennon: I wish I had toys like that Kenny!
Thiago has certainly been one of the best midfielders in the sport over the last ten years, and while some remain doubtful that he can be successful at Liverpool, this issue would largely seem to come down to the impact of injuries.
The 30-year old has been excellent whenever he has been fully fit, a condition he now seems to be reaching again. Admittedly, this has not been the case often enough during his time in England.
Liverpool supporters will be hoping that he can get a good run of games under his belt as the team face into a busy December schedule.
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