Thiago rumours wide of the mark

Fans of the Premier League champions are unsure whether their side will strengthen this summer, following news that their club's links to Thiago Alcantara are looking increasingly threadbare.

Reports linking Spain International Thiago with a Summer switch to Liverpool are wide of the mark, according to recent reports.

Just hours after a Liverpool performance which could be summed up as 'fit for a side that likely finished celebrating their title triumph just days prior to their next fixture', which saw them fall victim to a four-nil thrashing at the hands of last year's champions Manchester City, Reds across social media quickly felt some of their disappointment dissipate. That's because news was quickly spreading of a near-completed £35 million deal for Bayern Munich's midfield maestro, formerly of Barcelona.

Much has been said about Klopp's desire to add a 'Plan B' to his Liverpool side. On the occasions in which his side's reliance on fullbacks Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson is exposed and their threat nullified, a new, more direct approach is warranted.

Now, if you were to sit down and draw up a list of the top 25 players in the world, Thiago would have to quite comfortably be in there.

The goals and assists of the La Masia academy graduate only tell half the story of his time in Munich, world-class performances the other.

Fleet of foot and just as agile when in possession of the ball, the central-midfielder could be compared to Phillipe Coutinho in some aspects, only more tactically and defensively mature.

With just a single year remaining on his contract, the playmaker is reportedly available for a cut-price figure.

However, with Naby Keita recently beginning to establish himself at the club with a number of standout performances, it boggles the mind just how the Spaniard, likely to command a huge salary, might be incorporated into the team week in, week out.

Furthermore, Thiago doesn't fit the FSG signing mould. Now 29 and with his value likely only depreciating from here on out, the club would have to part with a sizeable investment for a potentially minimalistic reward all while compromising their 'moneyball' model.

Sorry to quash the dreams of my fellow Liverpool fans, but this one looks unlikely in my books.