"It's the fans" - £200k-a-week star hints he is in love with Liverpool

Liverpool midfielder Thiago Alcantara has revealed that he and his family have fallen in love with the club.

The Spaniard arrived at Anfield in September 2020 from Bayern Munich for £20 million, having just won the Champions League with the German giants.

After a difficult first year at the club, which was hindered by injuries, the playmaker settled on Merseyside and became a key part of Jurgen Klopp’s side last season that went close to winning the quadruple.

The 31-year-old has now made 73 appearances for the Reds and is integral to the Liverpool side functioning properly, alongside midfield staple Fabinho. 

Talking to TNT Sports via the Liverpool Echo, Thiago revealed the impact the club has made on him and his family.

“It’s my team,” the former Bayern man said. “It’s not just the players, it’s the fans. My family is here, they are already ultra Liverpool fans. So, after all, we end up becoming a family and we try to help each other.”

Thiago’s current deal expires in 2024, and given his importance to Klopp’s system, the Liverpool hierarchy may look to extend this contract, despite the midfielder being the wrong side of 30.

The Reds’ inconsistency at the start of this campaign has been largely a result of their shortage of midfield options caused by an extensive injury list.

The likes of Thiago, Jordan Henderson, Naby Keita, Curtis Jones and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain have all missed several games with fitness issues. 

Now that the Spaniard has returned from his set-back sustained against Fulham on the opening day, the North West side are expected to regain their form from last season that saw them accumulate 92 points. 

Thiago commented on this poor start to the season, stressing the squad’s desire to improve with hard work.

“We came from a not very good, unwanted time,” he said. “But we always believe in this team."

"The basis of this team is work, so we keep working, we keep improving things that weren’t right. And little by little we grow. Every day that passed, we grew.”