The Football Show reviews the development of Thiago Alcantara for Liverpool this season.
Thiago Alcantara is a star for Liverpool.
Or at least, he has been for the last few weeks. The former Bayern Munich midfielder joined Liverpool more than a year ago, but he never made the impression that was expected of him. He was often injured. And more importantly when he played he was a step slow too often.
Kenny Cunningham rightfully explained the failings of the Spaniard at the time.
It doesn't take a scout to see that he's a phenomenal passer of the ball. It also doesn't take a scout to realize he had very few defence splitting passes over his first 12 months at the club.
Thiago is fully healthy now. He has played consistently over the last two months. With that time on the field, he's making quick decisions, moving the ball quickly and he's even winning tackles that he couldn't get close to in prior games. Thiago is what Jurgen Klopp said he would be.
Joe Molloy asked journalist Gavin Cooney what he thinks of Thiago during The Football Show on Wednesday night.
"I think he's absolutely brilliant," Cooney said.
"He's an utter joy to watch. If I was to construct an eleven of players I just enjoy watching aesthetically, he would be in it. Sometimes he does slow the game down a bit too much. He did actually in the first half of that game against Everton at the weekend. But his penetrative passing can be outrageous. It's added a different strength to that team that they didn't have.
"He looks a lot fitter and faster."
Playing Thiago at home against inferior opposition has never been a problem. Liverpool dictate the play and dominate possession. It's the perfect setup for him to show off. But the real difference for the midfielder is his ability to go against better teams. To match the pace of the best teams in Europe.
Cooney explained why that's so important to Liverpool's structure.
"When he first got in the team, he looked a half yard off the pace. And he just gave away so many fouls. He was a little bit too slow in possession. Liverpool push up obviously with their high line and if there's a central node with which they work through, then it's easier to turn them over and counter attack against them.
"He's definitely picked up the pace and flourished as a result."
"Where do you start?" - Pat Nevin on Manchester United.
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