What would Thiago bring to Liverpool’s midfield?
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Liverpool may have finally been crowned Premier League champions, but to stay at the top you can’t stand still.
A large part of their title win was due to the dirty work done by the Reds midfield, allowing their front-three to flourish.
And with talk of Bayern Munich’s Thiago Alcantara rocking up at Anfield next season, we look at whether he could be the man to keep Liverpool at the summit.
Guile to the guts in midfield
Skipper Jordan Henderson may be in the frame for Player of the Year and the likes of Gigi Wijnaldum and Fabinho have been rock-solid, consistent performers, but they don’t capture the imagination like Thiago could.
The Spaniard’s silkiness and defence-splitting passes would add a different dimension to the midfield.
Leon Goretzka’s goalscoring form since Hansi Flick took over at Bayern, has some questioning if they need Thiago’s presence anymore.
Bayern’s oversight could be Jurgen Klopp’s gain.
Winning mentality
Champions League and Premier League titles in the last two years suggest Liverpool are proven winners. But the fact they waited 30 years for that league title would suggest otherwise.
Thiago boasts two La Ligas and seven Bundesliga titles, plus a Champions League in his trophy cabinet.
He’s been there, done that and got the t-shirt and still only 29-years old is the type of signing that alerts the rest of Europe that Liverpool are here to stay.
Will it really happen?
Thiago currently only has a year left on his current deal with the Bundesliga champions and could therefore be available for a reported £54 million.
Flick has come out and quashed rumours of a move away for the Spaniard but that may just be more hope that expectation.
A move to England may suit this stage of his career, with a fresh challenge in a new country. He could even see Liverpool as the club to bag his second European trophy with.
If Wijnaldum doesn’t get his own long-term contract situation sorted, then it could leave a gap for Thiago to fill.
All odds and markets correct as of date of publication
