Liverpool signed Thiago Alcantara from Bayern Munich during the summer transfer window and the midfielder was touted as the next big impact player at Anfield.
Unfortunately, things have not gone so smoothly for the Spanish international as he’s yet to find his peak form in the Premier League. Initially, he was out of action for a brief spell due to an injury and then when he came back, he took a lot of time to settle down into the starting line-up.
But his performance against Leipzig in midweek was certainly eye-catching which is why the manager immediately came out to back Thiago and his slow progress in the English top division.
The manager said, as reported by Liverpool Echo: “When Naby (Keita) came on that was also good and it was helpful.
“I assume when you all look at Liverpool from Germany, people say it’s (the problems) to do with Thiago or whatever – that’s rubbish.
“For the players who were new, they always needed time to get used to our gameplan but Thiago doesn’t have that. But he improves week on week. It is not a short-term project, it is a long-term project and it was good.
“It is very fluid how we work together, the boys played some nice passes and Thiago had a great chance as well, I think he could have had a shot on goal but instead passed.”
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Thiago had one of his better outings in a Liverpool shirt in midweek and this was primarily because Fabinho had returned to defensive midfield, allowing the summer signing to play a bit further up front.
The Spaniard himself has come out to praise the effect that Fabinho has in midfield and has also hinted that his own game could prosper alongside the Brazilian.
Thiago told the club’s official website: “He is a great player. He gives us a lot of confidence in our backs, and it’s awesome to play alongside him.
“It frees me up a bit, I can move some lines forward and with that I can be more confident and player (nearer) with the strikers.
“I enjoy playing a bit more advanced because you’re always near the goal and you can create chances and score. It’s a nice position.”
