Premier League
Thiago on the way to old Bayern strength?
Published
2 years agoon
By
Maria KeaneThiago Alcantara’s first year at Liverpool was unsatisfactory. Meanwhile, the ex-professional of FC Bayern seems to have arrived on the island.
30 games, only 13 of them over 90 minutes, a goal participation: Thiago Alcantara had imagined his debut season at Liverpool FC differently. As a newly crowned triple winner from FC Bayern for 22 million euros, the Spaniard initially found it very difficult to build on his performance in the midfield of the German record champions on the island.
His form fluctuations, coupled with some physical problems, also cost him his regular place in the Spanish national team at the European Championship.
No wonder that in the course of the past few months the question has arisen again and again whether Thiago was at all suitable for Jürgen Klopp’s football or whether he would be better off with a possession-oriented team. In this context, rumors of a return to FC Barcelona, whose new coach Xavi once played with Thiago, were also making the rounds.
Barca return? Thiago reacts with a dream goal
But Thiago himself wiped the rumors before last week’s Champions League game against FC Porto. He feels at home in Liverpool and has moved there with the aim of facing a new challenge. He was aware from the start that after all the successes with a well-rehearsed team like FC Bayern’s, it would be difficult.
Sooner or later, according to Thiago, he will perform well. A prophecy that soon came true. Against Porto, the 30-year-old shone with a controlled performance in midfield – and a dream goal from 25 meters. When he dropped the ball at full speed with a perfect drop kick into the lower right corner, there was no stopping Anfield.
“Whoever sees Thiago in training knows that he has the technology to do that,” enthused Klopp afterwards. “But even with this technique, it doesn’t happen very often that he can fire a shot like that.”
Liverpool FC: Much praise for Thiago after a perfect week
Thiago himself added another goal in their 4-0 home win in the Premier League against FC Southampton on Saturday. A not quite as nice goal as against Porto, but a goal that showed his self-confidence: He processed a high ball near sixteen, left his opponents with a skillful body deception and slammed the ball, ultimately deflected unsustainably by Southampton’s defender Lyanco, in the net.
When he was substituted in the 59th minute, there was a standing ovation for the ex-Munich player. and Liverpool echo then stated: “Thiago puts his stamp on the Liverpool game.”
Indeed, this week could have been a turning point for the noble technician in Liverpool. After a calf injury slowed him down at the beginning of the season, he can now concentrate fully on his performance on the pitch. “That” judged Sun, “is the Thiago that everyone wants to see”.
Premier League: The table after the 13th matchday
place | team | Games | Goal difference | Points |
1 | Chelsea FC | 13th | 26th | 30th |
2 | Manchester city | 13th | 20th | 29 |
3 | Liverpool FC | 13th | 28 | 28 |
4th | West Ham United | 13th | 8th | 23 |
5 | Arsenal FC | 13th | -2 | 23 |
6th | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 13th | 0 | 20th |
7th | Tottenham Hotspur | 12th | -6 | 19th |
8th | Manchester united | 13th | -1 | 18th |
9 | Brighton & Hove Albion | 13th | -2 | 18th |
10 | Leicester City | 13th | -3 | 18th |
11 | Crystal Palace | 13th | 0 | 16 |
12th | Brentford FC | 13th | 0 | 16 |
13th | Aston Villa | 13th | -3 | 16 |
14th | Everton FC | 13th | -4 | 15th |
15th | Southampton FC | 13th | -7 | 14th |
16 | Watford FC | 13th | -6 | 13th |
17th | Leeds United | 13th | -8th | 12th |
18th | Burnley FC | 12th | -6 | 9 |
19th | Norwich City | 13th | -20 | 9 |
20th | Newcastle United | 13th | -14 | 6th |
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