Liverpool, whose German coach Jurgen Klopp relies on pressing and attacking style, had won the English Premier League following a 30-year wait and the Champions League following a 14-year fast, when Spanish midfielder Thiago Alcantara landed in his ranks two years ago.
Few of the players can match the Brazilian-born player in terms of the number of titles he won during a victorious career, as he was crowned 11 times as the local league champion in the ranks of his former teams Barcelona and Bayern Munich, in addition to winning the Champions League with both.
However, Thiago’s style did not reflect the way coach Klopp’s squad played. Pessimism regarding Tiago’s abilities to adapt to the pace of Liverpool increased in his first year in England, especially in light of the many injuries that made him miss several matches. Even when he was in perfect shape, his style was considered by many to be too slow compared to what his team had to offer.
But Klopp responded to his midfielder’s critics by saying, “I thank God that these people do not make decisions.”
He added, “He was not lucky with injuries at the beginning, but when he is at his full level, he can tune into the rhythm of the match. He has an insight into this, he can calm the rhythm of the match at the right moments, and he understands the game with distinction.”
This vision became clear recently at a crucial time for Liverpool, which is seeking to achieve an unprecedented quartet for an English team. The red team crowned the League Cup champion by beating Chelsea on penalties in late February, and reached the FA Cup final, where they meet the same opponent on the current 14th, and are one step away from reaching the Champions League final following they beat Villarreal 2 – Zero in the first leg at “Anfield”, one point behind Manchester City in the English Premier League.
Thiago, who has experience winning titles with Barcelona and Bayern Munich, said when asked if he played better before compared to what he is playing at the moment, “I’ve enjoyed every era in my career. Of course, I’m 100 percent enjoying my time here. We have this.” The mix of experienced players with other young talents. We created such a great atmosphere to help each other.”
Paradoxically, the period of Liverpool’s decline late last year and early this year coincided with Tiago’s infection with the Corona virus and a hip injury in the same period. The only time that Liverpool lost the presence of Tiago on the pitch was once morest Inter, in the second leg of the final price of the Champions League, following Liverpool had won the first leg at the San Siro stadium 2-0.
Liverpool have not lost by two goals all season in 56 games in various competitions, and if they avoid this on Tuesday once morest Villarreal, they will play their third continental final in the last five years.
Liverpool lost the first final in this series once morest Real Madrid 1-3 in 2018, in a match in which Egyptian star Mohamed Salah was injured at the beginning following being harassed by Real defender Sergio Ramos, before he compensated the following year and defeated his compatriot Tottenham 2-0. Liverpool may have the opportunity to avenge Real Madrid in the continental final scheduled in Paris on the 28th, if the royal succeeds in overcoming Manchester City, who defeated them 4-3 in the first leg, when they meet Wednesday at the Santiago Bernabeu. This time, Liverpool can count on the maestro and rhythm officer Tiago.
