The phrase ‘like a new signing’ is commonplace in football – albeit slightly less so since Arsene Wenger left Arsenal – but Thiago Alcantara would be like a new addition by Liverpool when he comes back.
The Reds signed Thiago from Bayern Munich in the summer for £20 million, following a very long and protracted transfer saga.
Thing is, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has only got to use him for 134 minutes this season due to injury.
The 29-year-old hasn’t played since that nasty Richarlison challenge in the 2-2 draw at Everton over two months ago.
But the Spain international was spotted doing some light training at The Axa Training Centre this week – and sent a teasing tweet to Liverpool fans on Wednesday about a return in the very near future.
And Klopp has told The Echo that Thiago is ‘eager’ to get his Liverpool career up and running – and that some the players are joking about him being like a new signing.
He said: “He is eager. We are already making jokes here that we should sign Thiago in January! We will not rush it but it’s nice to have him on the [training] pitch. “
The Sunday World reported this week that Liverpool expect him back over the next two weeks, which now looks like it might be on the money.
The good news is that the Premier League champions’ next three games are against Crystal Palace, West Bromwich Albion and Newcastle United, so they should, in theory, manage without Thiago.
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