Liverpool: Naby Keïta improving and is there a place for Thiago Alcântara
Keïta has improved since the restart of the Premier League but is there still more depth required. Thiago would be a great addition to Liverpool but at what cost?
With the Guinea International providing two assists in his last two games against Aston Villa and Brighton respectively, Liverpool fans have seen some glimpses of what he displayed at RB Leipzig.
Keïta has great ability in keeping possession of the ball while also providing key passes in the final third. Hampered through injury, he has only played 14 matches for the Reds, starting seven of them, which is a very little game time.
Though his game time has been limited, Keïta is averaging an 89.1% pass completion rate while also having a 75% success rate for dribbles past opponents. Thiago, on the other hand, has played a total of 24 matches for the Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich, scoring only 3 goals this season while providing no assists.
This is not much different to what Keïta has delivered in much fewer matches played. In terms of ability, there does not seem to be much difference between Keita or the other Liverpool midfielders so why would Thiago be on the Reds’ radar?
Would the Spaniard make Liverpool’s starting XI?
This is a tricky question. The idea of having him in the squad may outweigh the need. The Reds have a midfield that works for them, besides the lack of a true number 10. That’s where Naby Keita may come in. Having the likes of Chamberlain, Wijnaldum, and Minamino, who would all make up part of a midfield three, Thiago may not get as much game time as expected.
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It will be a total waste of money, especially since the Reds need to strengthen in other departments, such as investing in another winger and an additional centre-back. If Wijnaldum does not sign a new contract, Jurgen Klopp should, by all means, get Thiago on board.
Thiago has the experience and a winning mentality as well as having the talent to back it up. According to rumours if Liverpool goes ahead with the deal, he would cost in the region of £32m. A fairly decent price for the Spaniard even though he is already 29-years-old.
If Liverpool is going for players in this age bracket then the owners should rather break the bank and invest in purchasing Kalidou Koulibaly. The man from Napoli is also 29-years-old but needed more than Thiago.
Lovren is unreliable and Matip is constantly injured. Unless some of the youth can fill in the centre-back position like Sepp van den Berg, next season the Reds can have a defensive issue on their hands if by some bad luck Virgil van Dijk gets injured.
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In terms of transfer criteria, Thiago just doesn’t meet Liverpool’s transfer policy, which investing in a younger player who can grow with the club. Yes, he could make a difference but is he worth the wages and transfer fee? No. Klopp should put his faith in Keïta and Chamberlain or try and get a more attack-minded midfielder like Kai Havertz.