According to a report from Liverpool Echo, both Inter Milan and Juventus are prepared to compete for the Liverpool midfielder Thiago Alcantara’s signature. The 32-year-old, has grappled with a series of injury issues since his transfer from Bayern Munich to Liverpool three years ago. Thiago has yet to make an appearance for Liverpool, and in a recent statement on Friday, Jurgen Klopp disclosed that the Spanish international is not expected to return until the New Year.
Thiago’s Unimpressive Season at Liverpool Last Year
Thiago had a challenging season with the Reds in the previous year, encountering obstacles that hindered his significant contribution to the Premier League. The 32-year-old midfielder’s playing time was restricted due to injuries, resulting in just 21 appearances across various competitions.
However, despite these setbacks, Thiago’s skills should not go unnoticed, as he recorded noteworthy statistics. In the Premier League, he averaged 1.2 dribbles, 0.9 shots, 2.4 tackles, 1.2 interceptions, and 0.7 clearances per 90 minutes. Furthermore, Thiago displayed precision in his midfield distribution, with an 86.5% pass completion rate in the English top tier, as per statistics from whoscored.
Should Liverpool Manager Jurgen Klopp Consider Extending Thiago’s Contract?
While Thiago has demonstrated exceptional technical skills, vision, and passing ability, Thiago’s Liverpool journey has been somewhat turbulent. The Spanish veteran encountered challenges in finding his form due to injuries and disrupted match fitness, which limited his impact on games and prevented him from showcasing his full potential. Nonetheless, it’s essential to acknowledge that, with a fresh start and improved fitness, his performance could experience a resurgence.
In their pursuit of midfield rejuvenation, the Reds made notable additions like Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai last summer. However, Thiago still holds the potential to be an excellent mentor and role model for these emerging talents, offering valuable guidance and experience as they progress within the team. Therefore, Klopp should seriously consider retaining Thiago by extending his contract for another year, rather than allowing him to become a free agent next summer.
This would also guarantee that if the Serie A giants were to contemplate his signing, the Merseyside club could command a respectable transfer fee to allow his departure.
