Liverpool's second-highest earner 'hasn't come close' to showing his best form at Anfield | OneFootball

Emmet Gates has criticised Liverpool midfielder Thiago Alcantara.

The journalist has claimed the Spain international is yet to match the level of form he showed at former club Bayern Munich.

What's the latest news involving Thiago Alcantara?

In late September, Jurgen Klopp confirmed that the former Barcelona midfielder was set for another spell on the sidelines that would keep him out of action until at least the end of the current international break.

Of course, injuries have been a recurring theme of the 30-year-old's Anfield career.

Since moving to Merseyside on a free transfer in summer 2020, Alcantara has missed 26 games through injury and therefore managed a full ninety minutes on just 13 occasions.

And journalist Gates has now criticised the midfield playmaker, insisting he's yet to live up to the standards he set for himself at the Allianz Arena.

What has Emmet Gates said about Thiago Alcantara?

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Gates argued that the 46-cap international "hasn't come close" to reproducing his Bayern Munich form in a Liverpool shirt.

He told GMS: "Thiago hasn't come close to the form that he showed at Bayern and he's just picking up niggling injuries."

It's hard to argue with Gates' assessment. During his final five Bundesliga campaigns, Alcantara's Whoscored performance rating never dipped below 7.34.

Last season, his Premier League performance rating was 7.12, and so far this term it's just 6.87.

What is Thiago Alcantara's salary?

Alcantara's lack of form for Liverpool might be easier to take if he wasn't one of the top-earning players on Merseyside.

According to Spotrac, the playmaker takes home £200k per week. That puts him on level terms with Mohamed Salah - Liverpool's star goalscorer - and makes him the club's joint-second top earner behind Virgil van Dijk.

Not only is Alcantara struggling to live up to his own reputation, but he's also arguably failing to earn his keep at Anfield.

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Who was the most expensive Liverpool signing of 2021?

Ibrahima Konate Ben Davies Thiago Alcantara Diogo Jota

Who is Thiago Alcantara's father?

Alcantara comes from a true footballing family. His father Mazinho was part of the Brazil squad that won the 1994 World Cup, while his brother Rafinha also came through the Barcelona youth system and currently plays for PSG.

Accordingly, the Liverpool star could have played for Brazil - like Rafinha does - but opted to represent Spain at international level instead.

Interestingly, even the midfielder's mother is involved in sport. She was a Brazilian volleyball player.

Let's see if the next generation of Alcantaras will go onto reach the same acclaim as their predecessors.