Thiago tips Liverpool midfielder for breakout season after impressive start to Arne Slot era | OneFootball

Former Liverpool midfielder Thiago Alcantara has backed Ryan Gravenberch to play a major role for the team this season.

Thiago, who called time on his playing career during the summer following the expiration of his contract at Anfield, returned to Merseyside for Saturday's 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest to catch his first glimpse of life under new manager Arne Slot.

While the result may have been disappointing for Liverpool, Dutch international Gravenberch has received plenty of praise for yet another impressive individual performance, having quietly established himself as a key part of Slot's new midfield, and Thiago was keen to praise Gravenberch.

"All great players, they have to get experience, they have to adapt to different circumstances that they have in a game," Thiago explained. "[Gravenberch] is doing that and getting better in that position.

"Sometimes as a number six, you can see he is very flowing through midfield and it's pretty good to see how he is involving himself and adapting to that position.

Gravenberch has caught the eye / PAUL ELLIS/GettyImages

"He is an intelligent kid so he will adapt fast to the moments in the game and anything the coach says. He has done that.

"They are incredibly good the three in midfield, not just him but Macca [Alexis Mac Allister] and Dom [Szoboszlai]. Being surrounded by good players makes you a better player as well."

Thiago also admitted ahead of the game just how excited he was for his first taste of the Anfield atmosphere as a fan.

"It's always been a goal to be at this stadium not just as a player but also as a fan," he told club media. "I had the fortune – life gave me the chance – to be here for four years as a football player. I believe it was one of the best times of my life as well.

"Now I have the chance any time being such a warm welcome from the fans, and the players as well. It's a pretty good time to be here."