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Don Hutchison on what Thiago must be thinking at Liverpool’s lack of form

Will Butcher

Tue 9 February 2021 10:34, UK

that Liverpool midfielder Thiago will be bewildered by his new side’s current form – given that he has joined a side that blitzed past Thiago’s Bayern in 2019.

Thiago, 29, joined Liverpool last summer after a brilliant spell with Bayern in which he played 235 times for the German side – and helped them win seven Bundesliga titles. Now, he is at Liverpool, but things are not going to plan.

The Reds slipped to 10 points behind leaders Manchester City following Sunday’s 4-1 defeat. Thiago has struggled at Liverpool, playing only 12 times with injury following a robust tackle from Richarlison keeping the Spaniard sidelined.

Thiago was part of the Bayern side that suffered a 3-1 defeat in Germany in the Champions League back in 2019 – in which Sadio Mane scored twice, and Virgil van Dijk also netted. Hutchison thinks Thiago will be wondering what is going on.

“Thiago must be looking at this and thinking, is this the same side that demolished Bayern? When they high-pressed them, bullied Bayern into submission. Liverpool were rampant. Look at them now and think ‘wow, they are way off’,” Hutchison said.

TBR’s view – Can Liverpool and Thiago revive form?

It is not rocket science. Losing your best players to injury, in the form of Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez, Diogo Jota and more at times, is always going to prove to be detrimental. The issue is that Liverpool are playing players out of position.

A lack of cover for van Dijk and Gomez means Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson have become more defensive – but the two full-backs are much-better renowned for getting forward. Defensively, there are weaknesses.

Liverpool need Fabinho and Jordan Henderson back in midfield, and Klopp now has to trust January additions Ben Davies and Ozan Kabak. Can the new signings help Liverpool go forward and return to form? Certainly, it will re-balance the side.