Liverpool midfielder Thiago Alcantara will miss the rest of the season after undergoing an operation on a longstanding hip injury.
The Spaniard has made 28 appearances in all competitions this campaign but, during his three years with the Reds, he has missed 60 matches due to fitness problems.
With one year remaining on Thiago’s contract, fans on Twitter have been debating whether the club should simply offload him now or allow him to move on a free at the end of next campaign:
Cash in now, for the love of god
— El Chapmano (@ElChapmano) May 3, 2023
All said and done I’d still keep him tbh!!!
— Hero (@Hero93438531) May 3, 2023
Sell him
— Yoʾel🌴 (@AkoritaDaniel) May 3, 2023
Let him go for free in 2024. Can be useful as an sub for next season but we should never count on him as an starter, simple as that.
— kerko (@Berkan55881774) May 3, 2023
Great player on his day but, he’s now the wrong side of 30 and suffers to my injuries though out the season. Sorry to say, time to move on.
— scouse436 (@scouse436) May 3, 2023
Let him stay since Milner is set to go
— Dan Wasike (@dan_wasike7) May 3, 2023
Sell him if anybody wants him
— Reds81 (@Reds8111) May 3, 2023
Once World class , now just Glass !!!
— Fpl Galt (@28Galt) May 3, 2023
It’s fair to say that, while Thiago has had his moments in a Liverpool shirt, his move to Anfield hasn’t worked out as many would have hoped.
Injuries are not the only reason that the 32-year-old has struggled. While he is outstanding in possession, he lacks the physicality and pace without the ball to really make the required impact when pressing his opponent. Many supporters saw Thiago as the final piece of the jigsaw. However, he has actually ended up being anything but an essential part of the team.