Takumi Minamino has told Kyodo News that Liverpool star Thiago is “really professional” but because of his injury problems, he did exercises behind the scenes that he had “never seen before”. Minamino left Liverpool in the summer.
Thiago, 31, has endured extensive injuries since joining Liverpool from Bayern Munich in 2020. However, he has still managed to play 83 times in all competitions for the Reds. Even this season, he has missed five games through injury.
It is a shame. The Spain international has missed out on the World Cup this winter – maybe, because of his injury issues. Luis Enrique has picked Sergio Busquets, Marcos Llorente, Rodri and Barcelona youngsters Gavi and Pedri instead.
But Minamino was full of praise. He reflected on how Thiago would do different exercises to everyone else, some he has never seen before, due to his injury issues in a bid to keep him fresh. He branded the midfielder as “professional”.
“Thiago got lots of injuries but he was really professional, trying to avoid them by doing exercises I’ve never seen before,” Minamino declared in an interview with Japanese outlet Kyodo News, ahead of the World Cup in Qatar.
Minamino: Liverpool star Thiago did exercises he had never seen before
What a player Thiago is, and it is real shame that he has entered a phase in his career in which he struggles to shake off injury. Liverpool’s ridiculous fixture list will not help. But, maybe, missing out on the World Cup will help Thiago.
It might just give him that extra period of time off, another month without injury in which he can build up his fitness. Of course, he has had spells on the sidelines prior. But that is with an injury. In the summer, it is not like it is right now.
It could help Thiago moving forward and give him that added fitness to strengthen areas that might be weak. Perhaps, Liverpool could see a different Thiago, with more confidence in his body, when the Premier League returns.
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