Kenny Cunningham feels Thiago Alcantara wouldn't be a good fit in this Liverpool squad, with rumours swirling over a potential love to Anfield.
The 29-year-old Spaniard is reportedly tempted to pursue a new challenge after seven seasons at Bayern Munich.
However, former Republic of Ireland captain Cunningham told OTB AM he feels Alcantara is not the player this Liverpool team needs.
"I don't see Thiago [arriving] at all to be honest. He's a fine player, a wonderful footballer, but the way Liverpool play and how they operate, I don't see how he fits in that Liverpool team whatsoever.
"You could argue he could operate on the base of the midfield three in terms of being that kind of quarterback, but he can't defend. You can't go into that Liverpool team in that holding midfield position and not be able to defend.
"He's not really a number eight Thiago either in terms of playing that advance role higher up the pitch, so that's a no-go for me. The argument is redundant, they don't need him - they have Henderson and Fabinho in that holding midfield position.
"Henderson has the versatility to actually play in that higher up position, that number eight role, alongside Wijnaldum. And then they've got the options of Keita, and Oxlade-Chamberlain. Curtis Jones as well is going to be an option in that area of the pitch going forward, James Milner at a push can come in there.
"As long as the attitude of the players is spot on, as long as Keita and Oxlade-Chamberlain are happy to get their heads down, work hard, and look to push for more game time.
"You could see maybe Keita knocking on the manager's door in the summer and saying 'This has been great, absolutely amazing, but I can't see myself getting in the team here, it's so strong in the central midfield area.'
"That's the only situation where I'd envisage Klopp having to spend big in that area of the pitch.
"In terms of personnel I think it's absolutely perfect. I don't see a reason where you need to bring in a player. There are plenty of options there in that area of the pitch.
"As long as that focus is still there, that determination, that kind of ambition to win back-to-back titles and win more trophies and be the best and create a dynasty - as long as Klopp gets a sense of that around the place, for me there's almost no argument in terms of strengthening that squad considerably."
Kenny went on to suggest an alternative potential signing if the Premier League champions decide not to go for Alcantara.
"Maybe it's more of a personal thing. Liverpool play with that kind of V-shaped midfield, they play the holding midfielder number six and two number eights, pretty much like a Manchester City.
"When I look at Thiago, and I've seen a lot of Thiago play, he's a brilliant technical player, reminds me a bit of Jorginho [at Chelsea].
Legendario Bombardero! 🙌🏽 @pizarrinha pic.twitter.com/R7ToXcd7K8
— Thiago Alcantara (@Thiago6) July 7, 2020
"For me there's no future for Jorginho at Chelsea if Chelsea want to win a league title. They can't win a league title with Jorginho playing holding midfield for Chelsea.
"Thiago is a similar player, brilliant in terms of receiving the ball from the defensive line, getting on the half-turn and working the ball up the pitch, breaking the lines with passing.
"[He] ticks all those boxes in possession of the football... without possession he's not an athlete, he's not the most dynamic, he hasn't got that defensive mindset in terms of sensing danger, cutting off channels, physically imposing himself, winning tackles, dropping into space, covering people, all of those things.
"Whatever league you play in those type of attributes are important - for me even more so in the Premier League. I think that type of holding midfielder with that type of defensive mindset is absolutely paramount if you're going to win titles.
"Thaigo, as wonderful a footballer as he is, I don't see that fit at all personally. If there was a player out there who could really elevate Liverpool and they wouldn't have to change how they play, it would be Kai Havertz of Bayer Leverkusen.
"If Klopp's going to spend big over the next year, he's the type of player for me... I would sell Naby Keita now for 30-40 million, and go and spend 80 million to get this fella in."
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