Alan Hutton lauded Thiago Alcantara on BBC Radio 5 Live (1/12, 21:26) for the midfielder’s performance as Liverpool beat Everton 4-1 in the Merseyside derby on Wednesday night.
Thiago left Hutton in awe with his efforts at Goodison Park, as he clinched his first win over the Toffees. The Reds had drawn and lost to the Blues in their two meetings after his £20m move from Bayern Munich last September, which can reach £25m if he triggers all bonuses.
Goals from Jordan Henderson, Mohamed Salah (2) and Diogo Jota ensured it was third time lucky for Thiago. The result also moved the Reds to within two-points of first-place Chelsea.
Liverpool have won each of their five Premier League fixtures so far this season that Thiago has opened. They have also scored four in their last three, each with the Spaniard starting.
Thiago could not replicate his goal from against Southampton on Saturday, despite trying his luck at Everton. The 30-year-old finding the net would have been his third in seven-days in all competitions, too, following his sublime strike against Porto in the Champions League.
Instead, Thiago impressed Hutton at Everton with the Liverpool star’s work to move play around the park. He was economical on the ball, as his intelligence and vision stood out.
“It sometimes looks like Thiago Alcantara is a step ahead of everyone,” Hutton said. “He just sees passes that other people don’t.
“He plays a lovely little pass, but nobody reads it – he’s just a step ahead.”
Thiago was not the star, but will still thrill Liverpool
Thiago was not the star of the show at Everton, but his performances in recent games will thrill Liverpool.
He endured a tough debut campaign at Anfield last season and again suffered with injury problems earlier this term.
The Spaniard appears to have found his feet on Merseyside now, however, and is thriving under Jurgen Klopp.
His goals in the space of three-days against Porto and Southampton were more than he managed in 38 prior appearances.
While Thiago’s use of the ball helped Liverpool stay in control against Everton and impress Hutton, for the former Tottenham defender to laud him for being a step ahead of the rest.
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