‘He is a joy to watch, an artist on the ball’: Liverpool new boy Thiago Alcantara compared to Steven Gerrard and Xabi Alonso by John Aldridge as he reveals relief Spaniard is ‘okay after the disgusting tackle’ from Richarlison in Merseyside derby
- John Aldridge has heaped praise on Liverpool’s new arrival Thiago Alcantara
- The Spaniard has played limited minutes but has impressed for the Reds
- The Liverpool icon compared Thiago with Steven Gerrard and Xabi Alonso
- He also expressed relief that the injury from Richarlison was not too bad
John Aldridge has heaped praise on ‘artist’ Thiago Alcantara as the Liverpool icon said Jurgen Klopp’s new signing is ‘up there’ with Steven Gerrard and Xabi Alonso.
The Spaniard has not been as involved as first hoped since arriving from Bayern Munich, with fitness and a positive coronavirus test meaning he has not featured regularly thus far this season.
However, Thiago looked bright off the bench against Chelsea, and performed strongly against Everton last weekend before picking up an injury in the Merseyside Derby.
John Aldridge has heaped praise on Liverpool’s new signing Thiago Alcantara from Bayern
The Spanish midfielder has impressed in his limited game time for Jurgen Klopp’s champions
The reckless challenge from Richarlison kept Thiago sidelined for the trip to Amsterdam as Liverpool beat Ajax in the Champions League, while doubts remain over whether he will feature against Sheffield United on Saturday.
Klopp will be eager for his new signing to return as soon as possible, with the Reds already hit with a hammer blow after Virgil van Dijk picked up a long-term knee injury after a collision with Jordan Pickford.
And despite his limited game time so far, Aldridge has been encouraged by what he has seen from the former Bayern and Barcelona midfielder.
And Liverpool icon Aldridge has described Thiago as an ‘artist’ and compared him to greats
The Reds hero compared Liverpool’s new signing with Xabi Alonso (L) and Steven Gerrard (R)
‘He is a joy to watch, an artist on the ball,’ he told the Liverpool Echo.
‘I’ve seen great passers in a red shirt – Xabi Alonso, Steven Gerrard, going back to Jan Molby who I played alongside, and this lad is right up there, you just want to see him getting on the ball all the time.
‘He is a glorious, lovely footballer to watch and I think Liverpool fans are going to get a lot of enjoyment from him.’
Jurgen Klopp will be hopeful that the 29-year-old can make a return for the Sheffield United tie
The fallout from last weekend’s feisty clash involving Liverpool and Everton has not weakened, with Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti staunchly defending his side from criticism regarding the two challenges.
‘At least it looks like Thiago is going to be okay [against the Blades] after that disgusting tackle from Richarlison and what a performance he put in at Goodison,’ Aldridge added.
‘He’s had his injury problems in the past and the manager is going to have to nurse him through at times but I would say just sit back and enjoy this player.