Thiago Alcantara shoud be back in full team training after the international break which means the Spaniard will be back for the Champions League tie against Inter Milan.
The Spaniard, who reportedly earns £225,000/week, is world-class and as much as it’s hugely frustrating that he cannot seem to remain fit, he is Liverpool’s best chance of winning games at the moment it seems.
Statistically, Thiago is trump card for Liverpool. This season, when he plays, the Reds win all their games while they are quite ‘iffy’ without him and so, getting him back into the side is a massive priority.
Lijnders says Thiago should be back in full team training after the international break. Could be available for FA Cup tie v Cardiff on Feb 6. Origi not expected back until after that. #LFC
— James Pearce (@JamesPearceLFC) January 19, 2022
Jordan Henderson’s form is a major concern right now as he has battled to keep up with the tempo of frenetic games as he seems in bad need of an extended break and so hopefully the winter break will give him the rest he needs.
That said, as much as Naby Keita is Liverpool’s third-best midfielder on paper, we all know Jurgen Klopp will go with a midfield trio of Fabinho, Hendo and Thiago if everyone is fit and available for selection.
That midfield three, however, is sensational. Even if Henderson is below par, Thiago and Fabinho are so good it doesn’t matter.
Liverpool aren’t out of the Premier League title race yet – at least not in my book and if they can keep Thiago fit, who has won 11 league titles in his career, I think they can catch Man City before the season ends.
It’s a bold claim but it’s not that far fetched. The Reds still need to play their re-arranged Premier League match against Arsenal and if they win that, they edge three points closer to Pep Guardiola’s robotic Cityzens.
They will also surely drop points at some stage themselves but it’s going to require Jurgen Klopp’s side to go on an incredible run themselves and that requires Thiago to be fit and in the middle of the park ensuring they have the control necessary.