Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp admits Thiago Alcantara is in line to make his first Premier League start since early February during Monday’s trip to Leeds United.
Given Leeds’ tendency to press high, hassle and harry, Liverpool may benefit from an splash of extra composure at Elland Road.
The sort of composure few can provide like Thiago Alcantara. The former Bayern Munich and Barcelona playmaker remains the most technically-gifted ball-player in Klopp’s squad. And his return to full fitness cannot have come at a better time as the once-rampant Reds look to secure a European spot for next term.
Thiago has not started a league game since that 3-0 thumping at Wolves in the first week of February; missing most of the last two months with a hip problem.
Klopp, however, believes that the Spain international could return to his XI at last. Thiago building up his fitness with 30 minutes off the bench against Arsenal last time out.
Thiago Alcantara back for Liverpool ahead of Leeds United clash
“Super important. Thiago is a candidate for starting,” Klopp tells the Liverpool Echo. “(He is in) top rhythm.”
Liverpool have not won any of their six games in all competitions since that remarkable, XG-defying 7-0 hammering of Manchester United. Klopp’s side are eighth in the table. There are, in fact, only five points separating them from fellow underachievers Chelsea in eleventh; Champions League qualification now looking increasingly unlikely.
“After the 7-0, I’m not really sure you can learn how to deal with it,” Klopp adds. “Winning 2-0 five times in a row is much better. We didn’t think we were the greatest because we beat United with a crazy result.”
Relegation-threatened Leeds, meanwhile, defeated Liverpool at Anfield before the Qatar World Cup; Crysencio Summerville netting a dramatic late winner on the red side of Merseyside when Jesse Marsch was still at the helm in West Yorkshire.
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