Jamie Redknapp says ‘everybody is calm’ around £20m Liverpool player on the pitch

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Jamie Redknapp has claimed that ‘everybody is calm’ around Thiago Alcantara on the pitch for Liverpool, as he told Sky Sports Premier League.

On Tuesday night, Liverpool came from behind to beat Aston Villa 2-1, with Thiago coming off the bench and changing the tide of the game.

It was a frantic and all-action affair for the Premier League title-chasers, with Jurgen Klopp resting a number of his star players.

Whilst Thiago replaced Curtis Jones in the second half, it was Jordan Henderson who was forced to come on in the first after an injury to Fabinho. 

Despite a nervy day in the office, Redknapp praised Henderson and Thiago for the calmness they bring to the table.

“I didn’t think there was a lot of calmness to Liverpool’s midfield,” said Redknapp. “Certainly in the first half.

“I thought Jordan Henderson did well. He gave one loose ball. There weren’t many from him. Thiago comes on and gives you that bit of flair and control.

“If you haven’t got Fabinho, I wouldn’t expect him to play at the weekend. You just wouldn’t risk him. Jordan Henderson would play in that role, no doubt.

“Thiago is so important as well. Just his job and know-how. Knowing when to slow the game up and pass forward. We needed him. Liverpool missed him. When he came onto the pitch, you could see everybody was calm around him.”

Thiago is an important and underrated figure for Liverpool

Ever since Thiago signed for Liverpool from Bayern Munich for £20 million (BBC Sport), he has elevated their midfield to another level.

Perhaps an underrated figure in Klopp’s midfield, the precision-passer is the one that dictates play and makes the ball talk like nobody else.

During the second half of the campaign, with the Reds chasing all four trophies, he has probably been his side’s most in-form player, along with Sadio Mane and Virgil van Dijk.

Either way, whilst Thiago might not produce the numbers, regarding assists or goals like some of his teammates, it still makes him as important as them.