Garth Crooks says in his Team of the Week column for BBC Sport that there is no doubting Thiago Alcantara’s abilities after the Liverpool midfielder showed his class against Leeds.
The former Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur striker admits he has not always admired what Thiago offers Jurgen Klopp. Instead, Crooks has preferred the characterful Jordan Henderson to the collected Spanish technician since his arrival at Anfield last year.
Liverpool paid Bayern Munich an initial £20m on September 18, 2020, which could rise to £25m with add-ons, for Thiago. The 30-year-old struggled with a knee injury over the early months following his transfer, and admitted last month he is managing a long-term issue.
Klopp has managed Thiago’s minutes, as well, with Liverpool’s win over Leeds his first start of the season so far. The £200k-a-week operator marked the occasion with his first Premier League assist in 27 games after finding Sadio Mane to net the Reds’ third in stoppage-time.
Thiago thrilled Crooks with his performance in West Yorkshire, to help change the BBC pundit’s opinion of the Liverpool midfielder.
“I haven’t been terribly convinced by Thiago since his arrival from Bayern Munich,” Crooks wrote. “He came to Anfield with a massive reputation, but he has found the Premier League a different proposition to the Bundesliga. However, he has shown signs of his class and controlled the midfield against Leeds at Elland Road.
“Personally, I like the energy and personality of Jordan Henderson as opposed to the cool, calm and composed exterior of Thiago. But there is no doubt about it – the boy can play.”
Thiago still finding Liverpool rhythm, despite Crooks praise vs Leeds
Despite enthralling Crooks, Thiago was still finding his full rhythm in the Liverpool midfield against Leeds on Sunday. He is also still working to regain his full fitness, having – at times – been off the pace at Elland Road.
When on-song, however, Thiago helped Klopp’s side lock down the middle-third in West Yorkshire to dominate. Kalvin Phillips started the game strongly and had the Spaniard’s number early on, but it only proved a red herring.
With Harvey Elliott set to miss the foreseeable after Liverpool confirmed the 18-year-old needs surgery, Klopp will hope Thiago maintains his performances at a level he showed against Leeds on Sunday and that excites pundits like Crooks moreover this season.
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