Topics: Liverpool, Thiago Alcantara, Jurgen Klopp
Jurgen Klopp has been told Thiago is a problem in Liverpool's midfield following Saturday's 2-2 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers in the FA Cup.
The Reds were held at Anfield by a spirited Wolves side, forcing a replay at Molineux later this month. Liverpool looked below-par in the middle of the park once again, a recurring theme in a tough season.
Experienced trio Jordan Henderson, Fabinho and Thiago started the game but couldn't make Liverpool's 65 per cent possession matter in the final third.
Henderson and Fabinho were substituted, leaving Thiago as the only first-choice midfielder on the pitch for the full 90 minutes.
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The 31-year-old joined Liverpool from Bayern Munich in 2020 and is regarded as one of the best passers in world football.
He's struggled with injuries since arriving in England, meaning we've only seen glimpses of his extraordinary talent.
Thiago's not in the mould of a typical Klopp midfielder either - he's by no means lazy but won't cover the yards the likes of Henderson and Georginio Wijnaldum have in recent years.
Speaking on talkSPORT, Tony Cascarino pinpointed the Spain international as a weak link in Liverpool's team.
He declared: "My biggest problem with Liverpool is that I think Klopp’s idea is flawed around Thiago.
"He is a fabulous, talented footballer but, all the time he is in that midfield, the ball keeps going to him. And, yes, he is really comfortable on it and he can make things happen. He’s technically gifted.
"He’s up there with the very best I’ve seen but I just think it affects Liverpool’s style completely.
"They lose possession and teams keep coming at them and go through Liverpool like a knife through butter. I’ve seen Leeds do it to Liverpool at Anfield this year. I’ve seen Leicester do it to Liverpool. And I’ve seen, yesterday, Wolves, again.
"These are without mentioning Fulham at the start of the season, Napoli in the Champions League, and Man United away.
"Liverpool are playing a style that I believe is flawed with Thiago in there because I just think it changes the whole way LIverpool managed the midfield before."
Cascarino then highlighted sides in the Premier League which have 'ball-winning' midfielders. Casemiro and Rodri come to mind first, while he claims Chelsea's issues are compounded by N'Golo Kante's absence.
The former Blues striker concluded: "Holding midfielders are really important. Liverpool are missing that type of player. It’s not because Thiago is not a fabulous footballer, because he clearly is. I just think the style is flawed with him in it."
