Speaking recently on the Football Writers Podcast, Dominic Fifield discussed Thiago Alcantara’s return from injury for Liverpool.
Since making his £19.8 million move to Liverpool from Bayern Munich back in September, Thiago has gone on to feature just twice for Jurgen Klopp’s side, playing 45 minutes of the club’s 2-0 victory over Chelsea, and the full 90 in their 2-2 draw with Everton.
However, a knee injury has kept the £43.2 million-rated 29-year-old sidelined since October 17, although, he could be available for selection for the club’s clash with Leicester City this weekend.
Thiago was one subject of discussion on a recent episode of the Football Writers Podcast, in which Fifield commented on the midfielder’s potential return to the side, as well as stating his belief that the Spain international will go on to prove himself an invaluable part of Klopp’s team.
In response to a question as to whether Liverpool should be worried about how long it has taken Thiago to return from his injury, Fifield said: “I don’t know whether Thiago is somebody that has to play [only] when he’s 100%, there are players out there who are like that, who don’t feel as if they want to risk putting their bodies through competitive football if they’re not 100%. Thiago may be like that, I don’t know.
“But I think, as first-team managers, they have to take advice on board from their sport scientists and medical departments and you play players when they are ready and they’re not in their red zones; they’re not risking further injury or further mishap.
“Players also take time to adapt. I mean, we were all blown away by the flashes of pedigree and quality that we saw from Thiago when he came into English football. But sometimes it does take them time to adjust to the constant aggressive nature of Premier League football, that’s the reality.
“You can go back 20 years, it was still the case then, and it’s probably more acute now when the games are coming so thick and fast. So I just have to say a bit of patience, because we all know the bloke is an absolutely unbelievable footballer. And, in time, he will impose himself at Liverpool and on the Premier League and become one of the stellar performers in this division.”
Do you think Thiago should be risked for the Leicester City match?
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TIF Thoughts on Dominic Fifield’s return to the Liverpool side…
From Fifield’s comments, it is clear that the journalist feels it is important not to rush players back into action before they are ready, and that, given time, Thiago will go on to become an important part of the Liverpool team.
And, in our opinion, considering the number of injuries Klopp is having to deal with at present, while it could be tempting to rush a player like Thiago back into the side, ensuring that the midfielder is fully fit and, thus, reducing the chance of him sustaining further injury, we have to agree with Fifield in that this is the most sensible approach to take.