The ovations follow. Logical. Jürgen Klopp’s team has won the League Cup, is in the semifinals of the Champions League, in the final of the FA Cup, and after the victory against Manchester United, leader of the Premier League. Liverpool looks for the poker of titles. It would be the first English team in history to win it all in one campaign. In the center of the field, on the stage, he has his orchestra director: Thiago Alcántara.
Anfield stood up to see him off on Tuesday night, and Klopp grabbed him and hugged him before Thiago reached the bench. With him on the field, Liverpool have won thirteen of the fourteen games they have played in the Premier League, scoring 37 goals and conceding four. Only four. Without it, the balance worsens. Of 18 games played in the league, the Reds have won ten, drawn six and lost two. 42 goals for and 18 against. Come now.
Against Manchester United he once again showed his influence at Liverpool. He is in charge of giving the key and turning on his companions. He sets the pace and dictates to his teammates where to run and when. With his socks down, with the ball glued to his boots, calmly and with strength to withstand various pushes and outrages. He is a rascal. He looks to one side and then sends a long pass to the other. Measured, weighed in seconds. Right. On Tuesday he made 110 passes in a crucial duel in the fight for the league title. 110, and he only missed five. In addition to organizing the attacks, the former Barcelona and Bayern player, among others, is the first to put on his overalls when it comes to defending.
Respected by injuries, Thiago Alcántara is being one of the most outstanding of his team. Favorite of the stands and the English press. The Guardian’s Dave Hynter described how an incomparable Thiago inspired a superb performance from his men: “He seemed to be playing with his own ball. He telegraphed his passes and slid across the grass, twirling here, dancing there. As Paul Pogba limped off, the Spain international left Anfield drooling at his masterclass in midfield.” “He completely dominated the game”, explained former Scotland international James McFaden for BBC radio. “Seeing him was a joy, he never gets nervous”.
Major newspapers, both national and local, rated his performance against Manchester United with outstanding marks. Ian Whittell gave it a nine in the Telegraph. “He ran the show by taking advantage of United’s lack of a holding midfielder and sprayed an incredible range of measured passes.” wrote. Even Gary Lineker, a former Barcelona footballer and presenter of the popular BBC highlights show ‘Match of the Day’, gave in to Thiago Alcántara. The former striker tweeted: “I love watching Thiago play. Especially the passes of him undercover from him. He is a superb player”.
“He didn’t do bad at all!” Jürgen Klopp exclaimed after the match in an interview before the cameras of Sky Sports. “He is a world-class player, we have to make sure he is ready to play as many games as possible. He can be very dangerous.”