Paul Merson has claimed that Liverpool’s Thiago Alcantara is a ‘special’ player and he is the second best midfielder in the Premier League, behind only Manchester City’s, Kevin de Bruyne, as he told Sportskeeda.
The Sky Sports pundit added that Thiago is a ‘class act’ and when he doesn’t play, then Liverpool are a ‘completely and utterly different team’.
Merson was naming his top five midfielders in the Premier League today, and without no surprise, he put de Bruyne at the top of the list, with Thiago coming in next, which he thinks might surprise a few people.
The Spanish midfielder returned to Jurgen Klopp’s XI last week when they beat Ajax 2-1 for a much-needed win in the Champions League.
The only problem for the Reds was their weekend game against Chelsea was postponed, so that momentum has been lost and fans have to wait until after the international break to watch their team in action.
Nonetheless, this is what Merson had to say about Thiago, as he shared that he is a ‘big fan’ of the quick-thinking technician.
“Thiago Alcantara is an unbelievable footballer, he’s a class act,” said Merson. “When he doesn’t play, Liverpool are a completely and utterly different team and we’ve seen that a handful of times already this season.
“When he first joined, there was a lot of talk that he slowed Liverpool down a little, but after he adapted to the pace of the Premier League, there’s been no stopping him!
“I just like the way he plays and moves – he’s always looking forward and is more than comfortable with playing one-touch football when the situation calls for it. I like players who see things on the football pitch before they happen and he’s one of them, which is why I’m such a big fan of him.
“People might be a bit surprised with Thiago’s inclusion at #2, but this is how I see the game and I genuinely believe that this guy is a special player. We’re talking about a world-class player who makes such a huge difference to a team like Liverpool – we saw it first-hand against Ajax when he started the game and absolutely ran the show for his team.”
LIVERPOOL’S MIDFIELD PROBLEMS EASED WITH THIAGO IN THE XI
The fact that Liverpool, who have been known to be efficient in the transfer market and not leave their business until late, went to secure the loan talents of Arthur Melo on deadline day, tells you all you need to know about their current issues.
It has been obvious for well over 12 months that the club’s midfield needs refreshing, with certain players not being able to deliver, or when players like Thiago are out of the XI, then the standards seriously drop.
Liverpool fans have seen that first-hand when Thiago isn’t playing, and as he proved against Ajax, they move differently with him on the pitch.
That’s why fans dream of Jude Bellingham being part of a midfield that contains Thiago and Fabinho, if the Reds can get those three together next season, then they will seriously cook in the Premier League.
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