Topic: Welcome to Liverpool Thiago Alcantara

[Sangria]

It’s so simple, but very difficult to do. His touch with the outside of the boot is amazing.

Technically, it's not that difficult to do the touch. The key bit is the difficult bit, turning into space, which means total 360 degree awareness, preferably beyond the immediate player. It's the quintessential central midfielder's skill, turning into traffic when you can see beyond the moving traffic and into the space beyond.

[tubby]

It's his body shape as well just before the turn, tiny little drop of his shoulder to make it look like he's going to do the more obvious thing instead of turning away like that.

[Bobinhood]

He aint no Klavan though

[Legs]

He has been incredible this last 4-6 weeks he is world class and he has shown it he has made games look easy and we all know it isn’t easy.

[Red Beret]

It's his body shape as well just before the turn, tiny little drop of his shoulder to make it look like he's going to do the more obvious thing instead of turning away like that.

He's got that famous body swerve... like Fingermouse.

[Filler.]

Wait, what?

Thiago made his debut on 20th September in the 2nd half (away at Chelsea), and was imperious for 45 minutes - breaking the premier league record for the most successful passes in a single half.

He then had Covid (actually had it - not isolating) and was out from 23rd September to 16th October, missing 4 games.

On 17th October, he almost had his leg broken in only his 2nd game for us when Richarlison put in one of the most shithouse tackles you'll ever see. He was out from 17th October to December 28th, missing 17 games.

He then played 17 minutes as he was eased back in against Newcastle on 30th December, by which time our team was unrecognisable from the one he played in on his debut.

Where was he the 'ultimate luxury player' for the first half of the season?

We then had a dreadful run of form as the injuries caught up with us, and he was rarely playing in a consistent midfield.

Then we restore Fabinho to midfield, other players capture their form, and it's no surprise we then see the Thiago we signed - finally over the injury, playing in a stable midfield, familiar with his teammates and system, and finally playing in a team that has belief and confidence. We win 8 and draw 2 of our last 10, with Thiago running the game for large periods.

You make very fair points. I wasn't being totally without a tongue in my cheek but i have been a little frustrated. However, I wasn't fully taking in his injury/covid + playing in makeshift midfields and just looking at what he was doing on the pitch at the time. He's a Rolls Royce of a player no doubt, but one sitting on the drive looking beautiful but not going anywhere first half of season. Last few weeks and indeed months he's been getting into gear and he'll obviously be vital next year.

[plura]

Thiago magic - https://www.empireofthekop.com/2021/05/25/video-thiago-absolutely-running-it-v-crystal-palace-as-he-does-every-game-nowadays/.
It is going to be such a joy to watch him next season.

[Funky_Gibbons]

Thiago magic - https://www.empireofthekop.com/2021/05/25/video-thiago-absolutely-running-it-v-crystal-palace-as-he-does-every-game-nowadays/.
It is going to be such a joy to watch him next season.

He really is the personification of bravery on the ball. Always happy to receive a pass when under pressure because he’s confident in his first touch. Always looking to progress the ball as soon as possible, never takes the easy the option.

[smutchin]

He's a Rolls Royce of a player

Slight tangent here, but I never understand why people compare top football players to Rolls Royces - they're heavy, slow and incredibly overpriced, largely because of their reputation. That sounds more like a description of Harry Maguire to me.

To me, Thiago is more like a Porsche 911 - not the absolute fastest but incredibly agile, very easy on the eye and a bona fide classic. Relatively cheap too.

[Yorkykopite]

Why compare footballers to cars at all? Except as a way of denigrating them.

[macmanamanaman]

Why compare footballers to cars at all? Except as a way of denigrating them.

The only player we should be comparing to a car is Caleta-Car.

Oh, and Stephen Carrrrrrrr.

[Yorkykopite]

The only player we should be comparing to a car is Caleta-Car.

Oh, and Stephen Carrrrrrrr.

I'll let those through obviously. Willie Carr too. And maybe Norman Hunter, at a pinch.

[DangerScouse]

Surprised he wasn't nominated for player of the month. Klopp along with Mane and Ali were nominated for the awards.

[smutchin]

Why compare footballers to cars at all? Except as a way of denigrating them.

Fair point.

[rob1966]

Slight tangent here, but I never understand why people compare top football players to Rolls Royces - they're heavy, slow and incredibly overpriced, largely because of their reputation. That sounds more like a description of Harry Maguire to me.

To me, Thiago is more like a Porsche 911 - not the absolute fastest but incredibly agile, very easy on the eye and a bona fide classic. Relatively cheap too.

You're thinking of the modern Rolls Royce and modern cars, not the classics from decades ago when the average car was a slow, uncomfortable, rattly, unreliable pile of shite, whereas a Rolls was solid, classy, powerful, fast and the pinnacle of cars.

[Sangria]

I'll let those through obviously. Willie Carr too. And maybe Norman Hunter, at a pinch.

Don't forget Scott Pinto. He was on fire.

[newterp]

that was a hell of a video - I remember in the game that he was dropping 50 yard passes to feet or to players running in stride - but forgot about the defensive masterpiece.

[CraigDS]

Wins so many headers for a little fella too.

[Welshred]

Are there any videos of his song knocking about from Sunday?

[JackWard33]

Surprised he wasn't nominated for player of the month. Klopp along with Mane and Ali were nominated for the awards.

not into individual awards but this is worthy of comment.... he's been our player of the month by a mile
couldn't be more impressed with how he applied himself in a situation he absolutely didn't sign up for - was the stand out player in the league never mind LFC in the last 5/6 games

[Crosby Nick]

I'll let those through obviously. Willie Carr too. And maybe Norman Hunter, at a pinch.

And Renault Higuita.

[smutchin]

And Renault Higuita.

And Maxi Rodriguez

[Yorkykopite]

And Maxi Rodriguez

And Robin Van Persie.

(Two fucking vehicles)

[jlb]

And Robin Van Persie.

(Two fucking vehicles)

Keisuke Honda

[MonsLibpool]

He really is the personification of bravery on the ball. Always happy to receive a pass when under pressure because he’s confidence in his first touch. Always looking to progress the ball as soon as possible, never takes the easy the option.

It's hard to appreciate his class when watching a game live due to the pressure.

Many times on Sunday, I was screaming "Get rid!" due to nerves but Thiago was excellent. He's like a pressure valve or a bank in which you deposit a football.

[Kopenhagen]

not into individual awards but this is worthy of comment.... he's been our player of the month by a mile
couldn't be more impressed with how he applied himself in a situation he absolutely didn't sign up for - was the stand out player in the league never mind LFC in the last 5/6 games

100%.

[Jon2lfc]

Why compare footballers to cars at all? Except as a way of denigrating them.

Even before we signed him whenever I would see his surname, Alcantara, it would remind me of the classy interior material you get in high-end cars.

Think that sums him up well - classy, smooth, good on the eye and sought after by aficionados.

[DangerScouse]

Are there any videos of his song knocking about from Sunday?

https://youtu.be/x1DvY1oHUEk

Just after 7 mins

[liverbloke]

Why compare footballers to cars at all? Except as a way of denigrating them.

the dutch could always be reliant on robben

[Bjornar]

There was never any question about whether Thiago was a brilliant individual player or not, rather whether it was worth it or not to make basically the opposite sort of trade-off to the one that happened when we replaced a brilliant ball player in Coutinho with more legs and athleticism (putting it simply and reductively).

The jury is still out on that IMO, for the same reason that it was unfair to write him off when he struggled a bit earlier in the season, that he's barely had the opportunity to start for a close to full strength LFC team yet. But it's starting to look very promising.

[Knight]

There was never any question about whether Thiago was a brilliant individual player or not, rather whether it was worth it or not to make basically the opposite sort of trade-off to the one that happened when we replaced a brilliant ball player in Coutinho with more legs and athleticism (putting it simply and reductively).

The jury is still out on that IMO, for the same reason that it was unfair to write him off when he struggled a bit earlier in the season, that he's barely had the opportunity to start for a close to full strength LFC team yet. But it's starting to look very promising.

So simply and reductively that I'm really not sure the comparison is useful at all. Coutinho was a 10 who couldn't really do the Mane/Salah job and couldn't really do the 8 job. Thiago very much can do the job he's needed to physically/ defensively. I think the last few weeks have demonstrated that very clearly. It's just he can also do some other stuff too.

[Filler.]

Slight tangent here, but I never understand why people compare top football players to Rolls Royces - they're heavy, slow and incredibly overpriced, largely because of their reputation. That sounds more like a description of Harry Maguire to me.

To me, Thiago is more like a Porsche 911 - not the absolute fastest but incredibly agile, very easy on the eye and a bona fide classic. Relatively cheap too.

Fair point, I don't either, but it's a way of saying top quality or something. If I said he's a Butthole Surfers type of player it would usher in some confusion, so Rolls Royce it is sometimes.

He's not a Butthole Surfers type of player either come to think of it - they literally don't exist. But Rolls Royce equates silky gear stick action and a seemless drive I guess so yes, a poor comparison.


If I was to go down the car thing I'd go beach jeep with two hot birds who are just there for the insta buzz.

[Bjornar]

So simply and reductively that I'm really not sure the comparison is useful at all. Coutinho was a 10 who couldn't really do the Mane/Salah job and couldn't really do the 8 job. Thiago very much can do the job he's needed to physically/ defensively. I think the last few weeks have demonstrated that very clearly. It's just he can also do some other stuff too.

To me it looks clear that Thiago is worse defensively (not a liability or anything, just not as good) than either of Henderson, Wijnaldum or Fabinho, while being better on the ball than all of them. So yes, there's a trade-off in my opinion. Feel free to disagree of course.

[Jon2lfc]

 

the dutch could always be reliant on robben

[Keith Lard]

And Renault Higuita.

Don't you mean Renault Higuain

The Thiago thread is now a car puns thread lol

[afc tukrish]

Fair point, I don't either, but it's a way of saying top quality or something. If I said he's a Butthole Surfers type of player it would usher in some confusion, so Rolls Royce it is sometimes.

He's not a Butthole Surfers type of player either come to think of it - they literally don't exist. But Rolls Royce equates silky gear stick action and a seemless drive I guess so yes, a poor comparison.


If I was to go down the car thing I'd go beach jeep with two hot birds who are just there for the insta buzz.

Butthole Surfers type of player, under-appreciated quality only you are truly hip to...

Gini Wijnaldum...

[Jon2lfc]

Butthole Surfers type of player, under-appreciated quality only you are truly hip to...

Gini Wijnaldum...

Maybe i'm too old to know this..
but what the hell is a butthole surfer?

[Sangria]

Maybe i'm too old to know this..
but what the hell is a butthole surfer?

Someone that wonders who was in their room last night.

[harleydanger]

Butthole Surfers were an American indie band originating in the early 80's, riding the golden era wave of alternative music through to the late 90's, before semi retirement and reduced touring. They are considered by many alternative aficionados to be one of the seminal acts of alternative music, and widely underappreciated by the general population and music critics of the time alike. 

[macmanamanaman]

I dont get why the Thiago thread has become a car pun thread. Stay on track, please.