Jamie Redknapp has defended Liverpool midfielder Thiago in The Times.
The former Liverpool midfielder, who now works as a pundit for Sky Sports, cannot believe that some people are blaming Thiago for the Reds’ recent results and performances.
There have been suggestions from some pundits that Thiago is slowing the game down for Liverpool.
The 29-year-old is a cultured midfielder who joined Liverpool from Bayern Munich in the summer of 2020.
Injuries have affected Thiago this season, with the Spain international able to make only seven starts and two substitute appearances in the Premier League, according to WhoScored.
Redknapp told The Times when asked about the theory that Thiago slows Liverpool down: “I think it’s rubbish. We are talking about one of the great technicians. I could watch him play all day. It’s a position I played in. We are searching for things right now [to explain Liverpool’s form]. Thiago played in a Champions League final last year.
“There was a pass he played against West Ham United and I was like, ‘My goodness!’ That’s what you need, those big moments. If you had Thiago, but you also had Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez in the team, we wouldn’t be having this conversation.
“But right now we are looking at everything to see what’s wrong with Liverpool, and people are having a go at Thiago because he’s a new player. It’s not fair on him, he’s one of the best midfield players in the world.
“I find it quite disrespectful, what people are saying about such a technician who can do special things. It’s not his fault that Liverpool are conceding goals like they did against Brighton, or for some of their recent performances.”
Important player for Liverpool
Liverpool have had injury problems this season. With Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez on the sidelines, Fabinho and Jordan Henderson have been playing in defence.
This has affected the Reds in the midfield department. It is not easy for any player to instantly get into form after injury problems like Thiago has had.
There is still a lot of football to be played this season, and Thiago will be an important player for Liverpool in the coming weeks and months.
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