Garth Crooks is not convinced by Thiago Alcantara’s adaptation to Premier League football a year and a half into the latter’s move to Anfield.
The Spain international signed for Jurgen Klopp’s Reds in the summer of 2020 from Bayern Munich and his switch to England’s top flight had been subject to much fanfare following his showings in the Bundesliga.
Despite a slow start to life at Anfield last year, Thiago has grown into a major influence in the centre of the park for the Liverpool manager Klopp who brought in the midfielder after drawn-out negotiations with the Bayern Munich camp.
Thiago has enjoyed a stellar couple of games of late in front of the goal with his well-taken goals against FC Porto and Southampton and has made the Liverpool faithful take note of his ability to find the back of the net from distance.
Football pundit Garth Crooks, however, has expressed doubt in his column for BBC Sport over Thiago failing to emerge as the anchorman required by the Reds in midfield in spite of his skill on the ball.
“The Spaniard has never totally convinced me he has acclimatised to the intensity of the Premier League.
“There is no doubt he can play, but when the game becomes physical or hectic I often feel his lack of pace limits his ability to engage and the game starts to pass him by. Liverpool’s dominance of Southampton allowed them to control the game – Thiago in particular.
“He’s masterful on the ball and has the most velvet touch. This is all very well when your team is in control but Liverpool need the occasional rottweiler (enforcer) in midfield and that, he is not.”
