Liverpool midfielder Thiago Alcantara was handed his second start of the season in the 1-0 defeat to Southampton last night.
The Spaniard looked rusty at times and, while he did show off his great passing range, fans on Twitter thought he didn’t really make the impact that they were hoping for:
Bang average like all the rest including Klopp. The subs have been shocking in the last 3 games ?♂️
— Gavin Hodge (@Gavstar79) January 5, 2021
Early days, glimpses of things to come
— jones (@jones_jonezee) January 5, 2021
He shouldn't play as a six anymore. Southampton players were on him all through the first half so I feel he needs to have a Henderson and wijnaldum beside him or fabinho and wijnaldum. He was good though
— Oluwa Daisy ✘ (@Oluwa_daisy) January 5, 2021
He was brilliant at passing it sideways. Poor like the rest of them
— Killian Mc Cormack (@CormackKillian) January 5, 2021
Wrong midfield position, he was completely isolated by the Saint's front and the Saint's midfield.
Thanks to Klopp positioning him there.— Mohammed Olumide (@Saddinho) January 5, 2021
Limited because of his early yellow & played in the wrong position. Other than that he was decent
— Ashleigh louise (@ashleigh19xlfc) January 5, 2021
16 progressive passes beating the seasons previous best by 6 in his first full game after 3 months at the sideline says it all. He had a bit of a slow start but still showing his class and will just get better with improved match fitness!
— Hugo Benjegård (@hugben01) January 5, 2021
Lost his head early on, too many fouls and yellow card stopped him being involved. Klopps bizarre decision to put hendo cb cost Thiago that freedom
— stubakerlfc (@stulfcx5) January 5, 2021
Decent
— Abdullah (@lfcabdu11) January 5, 2021
First half sloppy which is fair considering how long he’s been out for. Needs to be played further forward in my opinion.
— Benj? (@Thiag0Ball) January 5, 2021
It wasn’t really the ideal circumstances for making your first start in two and a half months. Manager Jurgen Klopp decided to reshuffle the eleven, and Thiago had to adapt to playing in the holding midfield role with two midfielders playing behind him at centre-back.
Picking up an early yellow card didn’t help matters either, and he had to be rather cautious with his challenges for the rest of the match.
In possession, Thiago was decent, delivering some good balls forward into the final third of the pitch, but he didn’t really stamp his mark on the game by dictating play from the middle of the park. Hopefully, as he builds up his fitness, we will see more from him.
