It will be exactly one year on Saturday since Thiago arrived at Liverpool on a €25 million move from Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich. While his first season at Anfield was slightly rocky at times due to injuries and COVID-19, Reds boss Jurgen Klopp believes the best is yet to come from the Spaniard. Via Neil Jones of Goal:
“The start was not perfect. He got Covid, got injured early which of course makes things much more difficult. But he showed what kind of player he will be for us. There is much more to come of course.
“It has been a year, but if you want it is only half a year because of all the things which happened. Coming to a new club like Liverpool, in the most difficult period in all our lives, he settled really well. His family is here, he loves it here, he was in the middle of the team very quickly. He’s a really good character, really good personality and obviously a world-class player. It is all fine!”
Thiago has been used in a slightly different role than during his time at Bayern, where he strictly played as a No. 6 or in other words, a deep-lying midfielder. With Liverpool, he's doing a little bit of everything. Pushing forward and contributing to the attack, but also retreating into his own half and defending.
Klopp has been extremely pleased how Thiago has been able to adapt to a variety of different roles for the club:
“I love the way he plays. It’s a complex position to be the No.8 for us. We have different skill sets and we use different skill sets from time to time when we think a particular skill set makes more sense against a particular opponent.”
While he's just made one start for Liverpool in Premier League action thus far, it would be no surprise to see him as a regular in the middle of the park moving forward if healthy. The Merseysiders are off to a smashing start as well, going unbeaten through their first four matches. Thiago will surely be a key part as they eye hardware in England and Europe this season.
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