Danny Murphy has admitted that he would be thrilled to see Liverpool sign the ‘magnificent’ Thiago Alcantara from Bayern Munich this summer, while speaking to Jim White on talkSPORT (17 August, 12.30pm).
While Philippe Coutinho scored twice and set up one more during on that fateful Friday night, it was another former Camp Nou star who orchestrated by Barcelona’s historic 8-2 thrashing at the hands of Bayern Munich.
Seven years after swapping Barca for Bayern, Thiago came back to haunt his old employers with one of the most complete midfield performances you will see anywhere in world football.
But while the La Liga champions will forever rue the day they let a seven-time Bundesliga champion slip through their fingers, Thiago’s mesmeric display will have felt a little bittersweet to those of a Munich persuasion too.
After all, it is no secret that the 29-year-old has his heart set on securing a move away from the hills of FC Hollywood this summer.
And reports from RMC that Thiago is closing in on a move to Jurgen Klopp’s Premier League champions has a former Liverpool midfielder drooling at the mouth.
“He’s been magnificent since day dot. I was amazed when he left Barca. I love a midfielder who cam play and If Liverpool get him I’ll be very happy,” Murphy says, believing that Thiago will offer something different to the likes of Jordan Henderson and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain at Anfield.
“He’s as baller ,a playmaker. He’s got beautiful technique. He’s not the normal type that Klopp looks for, (he’s not got) the legs of Henderson, the Ox. He’s a different type.
“Whether he plays ahead of Fabinho or instead of him in not sure. He could play both. He’s a terrific footballer.”
Sport claimed earlier this summer that Thiago is valued at around £35 million, while Bayern coach Hansi Flick believes English football would be all the better for the presence of a truly world-class playmaker performing at the peak of his powers.
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