Xabi Alonso backing Liverpool man to be fantastic this season | OneFootball

Former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso is backing Thiago Alcantara to be a success at Anfield after joining the club from Bayern Munich.

Alonso, who played with Thiago for Bayern and Spain towards the end of his career, says that he is expecting Thiago to be fantastic for Liverpool this season.

The Spaniard says that he always loves watching Thiago and that he is an excellent character to have in the dressing room and around the training ground.

Speaking to UEFA.com, Alonso offered his thoughts on his compatriot. “I have loved watching Thiago Alcantara, the way he has been able to connect with the attacking players, helping to defend with his special qualities.

“He’s a great friend, but above that, he’s become one of the best midfielders. And he’s a fabulous, intelligent, interesting, fun guy to be around in a training session and a dressing room.

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“He loves football; he shows that with his personality and with the way he plays. He’s able to connect with his team-mates very easily. He’s done it fantastically at Bayern, and I feel that he’s going to do it in the same way at Liverpool, and I love it.”

ANFIELD WATCH VERDICT

It has been a frustrating start to life at Liverpool for Thiago as he has struggled with both Covid-19 and injuries since his summer switch to England. Thiago tested positive for Covid-19 at the end of September, causing him to isolate away from his teammates, before suffering an injury during the 2-2 draw away at Everton midway through October upon his return from isolation.

Due to the stop-start nature of his Liverpool career so far, fans may not have seen the best of him yet. Alonso is backing him to do great things and the signs he has shown in the limited minutes he has had suggest that it could be a shrewd prediction. In just 135 minutes of Premier League football, Thiago has won two tackles, made three interceptions, completed four dribbles and created three chances for his teammates.

This shows that he can offer Liverpool quality both defensively and offensively, perhaps bringing more of a balance to Jurgen Klopp’s midfield trio. Thiago is capable of winning the ball back in his own half and then dribbling past the opposition before playing a killer pass to set up a teammate, which could be extremely useful in transition and aid Liverpool’s counter-attacks against top sides.