Thiago Alcantara, a name that had generated an exorbitant amount of frenzy within the Merseyside region in recent months, was at last unveiled as Liverpool FC’s new number 6 to the utter delight of the Liverpool FC faithful who had been longing for their beloved side to open their chequebook following their 2019-20 title-winning journey.
The 29-year old’s joining the Anfield giants drew months-long negotiations to a close and the player became Jurgen Klopp’s marquee signing for last season’s Premier League champions. Thiago’s arrival at Liverpool FC is by no means a mere feat to pull off on part of the Reds, considering that the Spanish playmaker had generated interest from far and wide, with Manchester United and FC Barcelona both being after landing his signature.
However, Klopp’s charisma and the trophy-laden success that has followed the Merseyside club over the past couple of seasons, worked in favour of Thiago being insistent on donning the Liverpool FC colours after he made his decision to leave Bayern Munich after seven glorious years of bossing the midfield for the Bavarian giants.
Upon signing the ex-FC Barcelona star man and a product of the club’s famed La Masia academy, Liverpool FC have got on their hands an incredible talent in the centre of the park, one who brings an extraordinary level of creative flair to a midfield three that has often been criticized for being the Reds’ weakest area on the pitch.
Jordan Henderson, Fabinho, and Gini Wijnaldum are undoubtedly quality options at Klopp’s disposal and the triplet’s contribution towards Liverpool FC’s victorious runs in the 2018-19 Champions League and the in Premier League campaign following that have been well documented by the ardent supporters of the Merseyside outfit. But none of these players have the ability to find gaps through opposition defences and create spaces for the Firmino-Mane-Salah trio to wreak havoc upon other sides.
Instead, the centre of the park for Liverpool FC has come to be known for high-intensity pressing and exceedingly tremendous work-rate, two traits that has worked wonders for Klopp’s side. Regardless, a player capable of switching the ball from one flank to another and easing past the opposition third was required by Liverpool FC who start the 2020-21 season on the back of a fantastic league campaign last time around.
And the requirement was fulfilled when Thiago Alcantara put pen to paper on a four-year deal with the Reds last week and his arrival at Anfield is bound to shake things up for the first-team squad of the club considering Thiago’s world-class status in global football and the impressive resume he brings along with himself to Liverpool FC.
Yes, there would be some amount of nervousness among the current midfielders of the Merseyside giants that have been a crucial component of Klopp’s side in recent seasons, especially those who have been on the fringes of late, Alex Oxlade Chamberlain and James Milner being two such first-team members.
The former is being eyed by Wolves in a deal reportedly upwards of £25 million. Chamberlain, despite his classy run of showings on the pitch that has made him a real favourite among the Kopites, has struggled with successive injury issues since his joining Liverpool FC in 2017.
Whereas Milner, who turns 35 in January, will certainly see his first-team involvement fall further as compared to the last couple of seasons due to a more prominent role in the setup being expected to be given to the promising youngster Curtis Jones.
However, in spite of the tough competition for the three spots available in Liverpool FC starting XI’s midfield region, Thiago’s place is, by all means, a guarantee, considering the amount of effort and money that went in bringing the Spanish international to Anfield.
The ex-Bayern maestro’s arrival will be a huge bonus for an already spectacular ensemble lined up by Jurgen Klopp and the Liverpool FC supporters will be hopeful of more trophy-winning glory to come their way in the present season.
