Spanish midfielder Thiago Alcantara is integral to Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool team but he falls short in one crucial department
Liverpool’s midfield department has been placed under the spotlight this week, with many frustrations stemming from the team’s 2-2 draw with Chelsea over the course of the weekend.
The Reds had a 2-0 lead at Stamford Bridge but they struggled to control proceedings, which has been a recurring theme throughout the current campaign.
Fabinho, Jordan Henderson and James Milner formed a trio to face Thomas Tuchel’s men, with the latter two in particular unable to gain a foothold on the ball amid the chaos.
Milner completed just 60.9% of his passes and Henderson wasn’t much better, posting 68.8% pass completion during the contest, which is a problem considering the two played in central midfield.
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Diogo Jota posted just 50%, but losing the ball is more understandable when taking risks and playing high up the field in dangerous areas, unlike Milner and Henderson.
Thiago Alcantara was a big miss on the day, given he has proved throughout his career that he’s a master at dictating plays and remaining cool-headed regardless of the environment surrounding him.
The Spanish international has started nine matches in all competitions this season and in those games, Liverpool have won all nine, scoring 25 goals in the process and conceded just two at the opposite end.
Thiago arrived 12 months before Gini Wijnaldum departed Merseyside, and he’s since acted as a more than capable replacement for the Dutchman by offering similar perks in defence alongside a more expansive passing range.
The big problem, however, has been his availability in comparison to Wijnaldum.
The Dutch midfielder featured in all 38 of Liverpool’s Premier League matches last season, and posted 37 appearances the season before.
Thiago, by contrast, has featured in 11 Premier League matches for the Reds this season from a possible 20, and he’s currently nursing an ongoing hip issue.
The ex-Bayern Munich fulcrum is gifted and highly influential, but he hasn’t been on the pitch enough for Liverpool to keep pace with Pep Guardiola’s relentless Manchester City outfit.
Klopp will hope to have him available for the business end of the season – particularly in the Champions League – but beyond that, perhaps the Reds will target the signature of a midfielder who is always available in the summer.
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