| Thiago | |
|---|---|
| |
| Personal information | |
| Date of Birth |
11 April 1991 |
| Place of Birth |
San Pietro Vernotico, Italy |
| Height |
1.74 m (5'9") |
| Position |
Midfielder |
| Liverpool statistics | |
| Squad no. |
6 |
| Years |
2020-2024 |
| Appearances |
98 |
| Goals |
3 |
| Assists |
6 |
Thiago Alcantara do Nascimento (born 11 April 1991) is a former Spanish international footballer who played as a midfielder for Liverpool. Arriving in 2020, the Spaniard's Liverpool career was beset by injury, and he managed just 98 appearances in his four seasons at Anfield. Despite this, his performances were typically of a very high standard, and he was named in the PFA Team of the Year in 2021-22 as Liverpool competed for a quadruple.
Liverpool career[]
After an incredibly successful campaign with Bayern Munich, winning the treble, rumours began to emerge that Thiago was looking to leave the European champions in search of a new challenge. Reports began linking the Spaniard with a whole host of top clubs around Europe, a return to Barcelona, or moves to England with Manchester United and Liverpool both seemingly possible.
Bayern's chairman stated that Thiago would be allowed to leave for the right price, and this began a huge media saga, with plenty of reports stating that Liverpool were unwilling to reach the requested fee of £30,000,000.
On 17 September 2020, big reports began to state that a fee had finally been agreed, and that Thiago had chosen Liverpool as his destination, with a medical set to occur the next day.
A day later, it was officially confirmed that Thiago had signed for Liverpool, for a fee of £20,000,000, potentially rising to £25,000,000 with addons. The Spaniard signed a four-year deal, and was handed the number 6 shirt, which had been recently vacated by Dejan Lovren.
On 20 September 2020, Thiago made his Liverpool debut, coming on as a half-time substitute in a 2-0 win away to Chelsea. He put in an assured, controlling performance in midfield, but gave away a late penalty, which he was fortunate to have Alisson save.
He wouldn't make another appearance until 17th October however, missing four games while suffering from COVID-19. He made his return on 17 October, a 2-2 draw in the Merseyside Derby. In this however, he was on the receiving end of a crunching challenge from Richarlison, resulting in the Everton man receiving a red card, and Thiago suffering an injured knee for the next two months.
Thiago made his return to action on 30 December 2020, coming on as a late substitute in a goalless draw at Newcastle. After this point he remained in the side for the rest of the campaign, but came under some criticism for his early performances as Liverpool's form capitulated, resulting in a run of six consecutive home defeats. In the final third of the season, the Reds picked up their form however, and a midfield of Thiago, Fabinho and Georginio Wijnaldum put in some very controlled performances as Liverpool went 10 unbeaten and managed to achieve Champions League qualification. This included the Spaniard's first goal for the club, a fine finish from the edge of the box in a 2-0 win over Southampton.
The 2021-22 season proved to be Thiago's most successful at the club. It began with struggle however, managing just 9 starts in all competitions before February. His performances continued to impress however, with an immense goal against Porto a standout, a perfectly sliced half volley in the bottom corner from 30 yards.
From February onwards his season very much picked up, starting 17 times as Liverpool led the charge for each competition. He missed out on an EFL Cup winners medal as he picked up an injury in the warmup before the final, but played 120 minutes and scored in the shootout as Liverpool beat Chelsea to win the FA Cup in May.
The Premier League and the Champions League however proved to be a step too far, losing out to Manchester City by a single point, before falling to a narrow defeat to Real Madrid in the final.
Thiago ended the season having made 39 appearances, scoring 2 and picking up 5 assists. He earned a place in the PFA Team of the Year, and was named Liverpool's Player of the Month for April, with two dominating midfield performances in victories over Manchester City and Manchester United being standout appearances.
The 2022-23 season began as the last ended, with Thiago continuing in the line-up and starting in a Community Shield victory over Manchester City. However, just 51 minutes into the first Premier League game of the season, Thiago was withdrawn through injury, as the Reds drew 2-2 at Fulham.
The Spaniard returned a month later, but Liverpool's form did not pick up and they ended up 12 points adrift of the top in December. Throughout the winter Thiago stood as the most consistent senior figure in a struggling midfield often including youngsters such as Stefan Bajcetic and Harvey Elliott.
On 4 February 2023, Thiago started in a 3-0 defeat to Wolves, being withdrawn through injury in the 85th minute. This proved to be his final start for Liverpool, as he would spend another two months on the sidelines. He returned in April for a few substitute appearances, but was again struck down by injury.
The 2023-24 season was one of massive disappointment for the Spaniard, making a single substitute appearance in a defeat at Arsenal. This was the only time he was involved in the first-team squad all season, and on 17 May 2024 it was announced that he would leave the club at the end of the season, with Thiago eventually announcing his retirement in the summer.
Thiago made 98 appearances in his time at the club, scoring 3 goals and picking up 6 assists. He left the club with winners' medals in the FA Cup and Community Shield.
Honours[]
Liverpool[]
Individual[]
- FIFPro World XI: 1 (2020)
- PFA Team of the Year: 1 (2021-22)
- Liverpool Player of the Month: 1 (April 2022)
Stats[]
| Season | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Europe | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | |
| 2020-21 | 24 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 30 | 1 |
| 2021-22 | 25 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 39 | 2 |
| 2022-23 | 18 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 28 | 0 |
| 2023-24 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Total | 68 | 2 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 19 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 98 | 3 |
| Season | Apps | Goals | Assists | G+A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-21 | 30 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 2021-22 | 39 | 2 | 5 | 7 |
| 2022-23 | 28 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 2023-24 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 98 | 3 | 6 | 9 |