Liverpool star Thiago Alcantara’s latest injury setback will have fans wondering if they’ll ever get to see the Spaniard link up with Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister. The two summer signings have been a big hit on Anfield since joining with Szoboszlai in particular winning over the Anfield faithful.
They’ve both started every Premier League game so far with Curtis Jones, Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch interchanged as the third midfielder. But Jurgen Klopp has not yet seen Thiago line up in his new-look midfield unit.
Thiago survived the mass overhaul of Liverpool’s midfield this past summer, but he’s not featured this season as he continues to recover from an injury issue. The Spanish star is seen as one of Liverpool’s most talented players when fully fit, but he’s been sidelined since the end of April.
His expected return date has continually been pushed back with Klopp stating on Friday that Thiago will “be back for the start of the New Year”. He’s certainly a big miss for the Liverpool boss, who spoke last year of his admiration for the midfielder.
Klopp said in April 2022: “He’s an outstanding player – wow. I knew that when he arrived here, of course. He was unlucky with injuries and stuff like this at the start, but when he is fit he can give the game a real rhythm.
“He’s got an eye for that, he calms the game down in the right moments, he has a sensational overview of the game. I saw that a lot in football games, too, I just didn’t have the feet to use it. So thank God he does! I can imagine you enjoyed it, I did as well.”
But Thiago’s countless injury setbacks raise some doubts about whether Thiago will play for Liverpool ever again. The 32-year-old is out of contract next summer and is expected to leave the club as a free agent. He could even depart in the January transfer window if an enticing offer is made, with Saudi Arabian clubs linked with the player.
That leaves Thiago with just a few more months to make his way back into Liverpool’s playing squad. He’s struggled with his fitness ever since joining Liverpool back in 2020 and has only played 67 Premier League matches in three years.
Thiago was restricted to just 14 league starts last year with Liverpool already preparing for life without the Spaniard. But Klopp will be desperate to see Thiago line up alongside Szoboszlai and Mac Allister before the season ends to give his side another dimension in midfield in their bid to win the Premier League.
