Thiago Alcantara could be Liverpool FC’s go-to man in the centre of the park as Jurgen Klopp’s side look set to face a tough battle from arch-rivals Manchester United in retaining their top-flight crown.
The Anfield outfit were joined at the top of the league table by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men in the aftermath of the Red Devils handing a 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa on Friday evening.
Meanwhile, Liverpool FC have endured a rather misfiring form of late, drawing two successive games in league action, including last week’s goalless stalemate against Newcastle United.
The game at St. James’ Park did witness the return of long-term injury layoff Thiago Alcantara to the field, with the Spanish international having missed two months of first-team action in the colours of his new club prior to coming off the bench to square up against Steve Bruce’s Magpies.
Club legend John Aldridge is one amongst the massive Liverpool FC fanbase who feels that with the return of the former Bayern Munich man, Klopp’s side would hugely benefit from a star presence in midfield in light of recent lacklustre showings by the other options at the German coach’s disposal at Anfield.
“If you like football, you have to enjoy watching Thiago, as he is a Rolls-Royce of a footballer,” said Aldridge to the Sunday World.
“His range of passing and intelligence is on a different level to everyone around him – and he can light the ignition switch in this Liverpool team in the coming months.
“Manager Jurgen Klopp has suggested Thiago will be the equivalent of a multi-million-pound signing in this month’s transfer window and the snapshot of what we saw as he made his first appearance in over two months was so exciting.”
The Merseysiders next face Southampton away from home in the Premier League, hoping to return to winning ways going up against a resilient Saints outfit under the charge of Ralph Hasenhüttl.
