Thiago Alcantara came under the scanner following yet another uninspiring showing in the centre of the park for Liverpool FC’s marquee recruit of last summer during the defeat to the Foxes on Saturday.
The Spanish international had initially been named on the bench by Jurgen Klopp but had to be brought on in place of James Milner as the latter limped off the pitch merely 15 minutes past kick-off at the King Power Stadium.
His performance failed to hit the standards and Jurgen Klopp’s misfiring outfit succumbed to a third straight defeat in Premier League action, with an impressive comeback from the hosts within seven minutes sealing the game 3-1 in favour of Leicester City.
BT Sport pundit Jermaine Jenas was amongst those who criticised the former Bayern Munich man for his inability to fit in at new surroundings, labelling the 29-year-old as a weak component in the Liverpool FC midfield three.
“I don’t think they’ve definitely got the legs in there [midfield] now,” said Jenas, as quoted by the Mirror.
“You know when you’ve got one link, either weak or missing in any chain, it breaks down
“I think it was clear today, when they’re trying to play this high press, for me Thiago was a weak component without the ball for them.
“He was fine with it [at Bayern]. So it’s just within this system at the minute. Whether it’s just the fact that his presses at Bayern Munich were at different times than they are at Liverpool.
“It just seems clear to me he’s doing things he shouldn’t be doing.
“I feel like he runs himself out of the game. He’s going to press someone when there’s three Leicester players around him, they’ve just popped it around him easily. If he holds his position it’s much more difficult.
“I feel like Thiago is late to the press, he’s run himself out of play.”
Thiago’s under the radar displays in the Reds shirt has ensured censure for him since he signed for the Premier League holders last summer and the La Masia product remains on the hunt for his first goalscoring involvement for his new side.
