Struggling Liverpool Midfielder Thiago Alcantara Is 'One Of The Best Players In The World'

Thiago Alcantara is "one of the best players in the world," despite struggling to live up to fans' high expectations at Liverpool.

That's according to ex-Liverpool winger Harry Kewell, who believes that Thiago is "trying a little bit too hard at the moment."

Liverpool landed the 29-year-old Spanish midfielder last September from Bayern Munich in an initial £20m deal.

Thiago has shown moments of brilliance for Liverpool this season, but the former Bayern star has been heavily criticised for his lack of impact at Anfield.

The Spaniard has made 19 appearances for the Reds this season, though he has failed to score or pick up an assist in all competitions.

Fans have brutally slammed Thiago's early Liverpool career, even branding him the 'Premier League flop of the season.'

However, Kewell has insisted that the Spain international needs time to "adapt to the English way."

The 42-year-old Australian coach argued that Liverpool would have a "phenomenal midfielder on their hands" once Thiago has settled in at the Premier League club.

Kewell told Ladbrokes: "I think Thiago Alcantara is one of the best players in the world.

"People might disagree with that but I think he's just trying a little bit too hard at the moment. His vision is brilliant, his distribution is excellent.

"He's just got to adapt to the English way. Once he's done that, Liverpool have got a phenomenal midfielder on their hands.

"When people say you need to have relationships with certain teammates in football -- particularly in that midfield area --- I do agree to some extent, but unfortunately, we're now playing in a time where games are coming thick and fast.

"It's impossible to be able to have partnerships that can play together consistently. You can probably play a pairing for maybe 30 games in a season absolute maximum, hoping they both stay injury and suspension free.

"So, you need at least four different options and connections in that midfield area, so it shouldn't matter that Thiago hasn't been able to play with Jordan Henderson as much as we'd have perhaps liked to have seen this season.

"Liverpool do have those connections I talk about, but it's just that people want to see the same players alongside each other week-in, week-out, and I just don't think you can do that in this day and age."

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Liverpool, Football, Premier League, England, Thiago Alcantara

Adnan Riaz

Adnan Riaz is a journalist for SPORTbible. He studied for a B.A. in History at the University of York and followed it up with an M.A. in Multimedia Journalism at MMU. Before he started writing about sports, he spent over four years in the gaming press. He has worked for several publications, including Hardcore Gamer, LADbible and the Manchester Evening News. Follow him on Twitter to find out what he is working on next. Got a story tip for Adnan? Email him: [email protected]

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