Liverpool great Didi Hamann has stood tall on his previous claims of Thiago Alcantara being a misfit for Jurgen Klopp’s side following the midfielder signing for the Reds last summer.
Thiago’s game-time for his new side has been cut short owing to a prolonged period of time on the sidelines due to hamstring issues but the Spaniard’s recent return to the fold at Anfield has been the subject of much appreciation from the Liverpool FC fanbase.
However, Hamann has been vocal in his disapproval of the former Bayern Munich first-teamer’s influence on the Premier League holder’s style of play as the ex-Red insisted that Thiago slowed things down on the pitch for Liverpool FC in their shock defeat to Burnley last week.
The former German international, when quizzed upon his earlier criticism of Liverpool FC’s new recruit, said that the Spaniard’s sway on Klopp’s first-team ranks could be subject to a verdict only upon the midfielder managing considerable game-time in the Reds shirt on the back of a lengthy spell on the sidelines due to a hamstring issue.
“Of course we’ll see a better Thiago because he hasn’t played much, he’s been injured,” Hamann said, as quoted by the Mirror.
“We’ve seen some of the best players in Europe take a few weeks or a few months to adapt to the English game so I think we will see a better Thiago.
“I wasn’t talking about last week’s game or the Burnley game where I made a comment beforehand.
“I think Liverpool’s always been a team that’s played the ball forward quickly.
“I know teams sit back against them, but that doesn’t mean slowing the game down helps Liverpool.
“I think what will happen now with Thiago in the team, as we’ve seen, Thiago is a player who always wants to be in possession, that’s why he’s got 120 touches on the ball in a game.
“When he wants the ball, I think the defenders, the full-backs will be inclined to give him the ball because they know he’s a playmaker, he wants to be on the ball.
Thiago’s creativity in the centre of the park has been applauded by many ever since his breakthrough at FC Barcelona and the Liverpool FC supporters harbour high expectations of the Spanish international to work his magic in English top-flight football as Klopp’s men eye retention of their Premier League crown.
