Topic: Welcome to Liverpool Thiago Alcantara

[dmorgan]

Just a joy to watch.. Him, Hendo and Naby should be our starting midfield... With Fabinho at CB

[Mr Mingebag Squid]

Allison instantly upgraded our GK
Van Dijk instantly improved the defence

Thiago is having that same effect on the midfield. And thats not dissing the other midfielders - they've been phenomenal to a man. But Thiago brings that extra dimension and can change us in an instant.

[So… Howard Philips]

Slotted right in and looked like he'd been there for years

his confidence is immense

even with the penalty - he didn't shirk it thinking I can't do that on my debut

he thought fuck it I'm here and this is what I do 

Tackle as clumsily as Xabi?

[dutchkop]

What an entrance and performance for a debut  - 75 passes in 45 minutes.  Class! Welcome Thiago

For me the revelation was Fabinho at CB and I think he may be better than Gomez there. if Thiago plays the Fabinho role in DCM then Fab can play CB and even RB when needed. more options in midfield and a serious passing CB option in Fabinho.

I think Thiago will help sell a lot of no. 6 shirts

[El Lobo]

I think it was maybe his second or third pass he just lofted it first time to Robbo without even looking and I just chuckled.

[redwillow]

he must have had 100% pass accuracy when passing to Robertson. I know the cameras picked up on something he said to Robbo about pressing as well, I think them two are going to love playing with each other

[clinical]

This guy is the perfect signing on and off the pitch. Players genuninely look so happy he's joined.

[Silverbird]

I think Thiago will help sell a lot of no. 6 shirts

Absolutely, I hate the new Nike jerseys, but I might just get one with Thiago's name on it.

[Felch Aid]

I think you'll see a lot more forward movement when he plays as he's seemingly press resistant and wants the ball. It gives the attack and Defence much more confidence to do their job. For oppostion managers its a nightmare trying to defend against us when you have the front 3 that need shackling but then allowing like Thiago all the time in the world.

I think Klopp and Ljinders always have a review of tactics so we don't get stale and perhaps the approach this year is possession and press which you can't defend for 60 mins never mind 90.

[clinical]

he must have had 100% pass accuracy when passing to Robertson. I know the cameras picked up on something he said to Robbo about pressing as well, I think them two are going to love playing with each other

Well tbf to Thiago he's only been playing with the second best left back in the world. Now he gets to play with the best.

[an fear dearg]

I think it was maybe his second or third pass he just lofted it first time to Robbo without even looking and I just chuckled.

I think that when he gets fully in sync with the team’s rhythm this will be an unreal lift in our game. Thiago picking the ball up round the centre circle or slightly further, Mo and Sadio tucking in and Robbo and Trent overlapping. Thiago hitting the space Mo and Sadio leave for the FBs and they deliver the final ball. That’s gonna be juicy!

[cdav]

he must have had 100% pass accuracy when passing to Robertson. I know the cameras picked up on something he said to Robbo about pressing as well, I think them two are going to love playing with each other

Must be nice for Thiago to play with the best left back in the world rather than a clogger like Davies

[BarryCrocker]

So what happened to the Gini or Thiago argument? Both on the pitch at the same time.

[redwillow]

So what happened to the Gini or Thiago argument? Both on the pitch at the same time.

And Gini looked a different type of player, looked as though he was very advanced throughout the second half obviously should have had a goal to show for it as well

[Alan B'Stard]

I know he came on with Chelsea down to 10 men, so naturally he would have a little bit more space and time on the ball. Having said that, he brings finesse to industry.

Klopps biggest problem is who complements each other in midfield the best?!

[rob1966]

I know he came on with Chelsea down to 10 men, so naturally he would have a little bit more space and time on the ball. Having said that, he brings finesse to industry.

Klopps biggest problem is who complements each other in midfield the best?!

That's not necessarily true. When teams go down to 10, they usually take a forward off, so he's still up against a 4 man midfield and a 4 man back line. The ones who will benefit are our back 4 as they have less pressure on them when they have the ball.

[Bergersrightwingviews]

Love at first sight for me.

He is so assured and comfortable on the ball.  he pinged a few passes over the top which were inches away from putting the forwards in.  He whips balls out to the fullbacks as if it were the easiest thing in the world.  He does a step over and accelerates away from other elite footballers with ease. 

My absolute favourite thing was how quickly he plays the ball.  Our current midfielders are under-rated of course and can play some astounding passes, but sometimes they seem to want a few extra touches to set themselves whereas he seems to be able to knock it short or long with his first touch.

Shame that shot didn't go in.  Wasn't anywhere near as close as I thought initially, but was a lovely strike.

Giving a peno away not great of course, but these things happen.

[Red Beret]

£80m player at least. Bayern must hate us.

[Fabulous_aurelio]

I was really in awe everytime he picked up the ball. I think it was Carra who said that he was a player who will play the passes you don't expect or other players don't see.

As someone said above, think we will see more movement of our front three when he is on the ball.

I love that he was pointing to the other players where to go and giving instructions out. A truly experienced player who has won it all. He will be a massive part of this team.

[KurtVerbose]

I think when he gets used to the league and Klopp's tactics he'll be a good option......

Jeez, straight from the beginning just brilliant. We look a different team with him there. Amazing passing, Gini was far more regularly in the box.

[Qston]

I think it was maybe his second or third pass he just lofted it first time to Robbo without even looking and I just chuckled.

Same here. His confidence in his own ability was self evident the moment he walked on the pitch

[Qston]

So what happened to the Gini or Thiago argument? Both on the pitch at the same time.

It will probably give Gini the licence to play a more advanced role like he does for the national side, and in fact has done for most of his career other than us.

[markedasred]

It will probably give Gini the licence to play a more advanced role like he does for the national side, and in fact has done for most of his career other than us.

I was thinking that. If as it looks we will, we keep Gini, his goal numbers will rise massively with Thiago on the pitch. Such beautiful football to watch, that second half.

[Oldmanmick]

It will probably give Gini the licence to play a more advanced role like he does for the national side, and in fact has done for most of his career other than us.

That's what I'm thinking too. I reckon he does his best work playing further up the pitch. Just ask Barcelona.

[muszka]

You have to be a special footballer to come to a team that got 97 and 99 points in the last two seasons and need only one game to show that you're only going to improve it.

Just a shame about one thing, our fans can't see him playing at Anfield. There would be buzzing after his every good pass and it would've made him even more welcome here.

[redgriffin73]

Did anyone get the sense that Thiago was put on for the full 45 purely because Klopp viewed the 2nd half as the perfect opportunity for a training session

And some session it was

Even though it was for an injuury to Hendo, it really was the perfect opportunity for Thiago to get a bit more training in at a lower intensity thatn it might otherwise have been in the match.

[markedasred]

Ok serious question, is this the first time we have had a song for a player before he kicked a ball for us?.

[missis sumner]

Ok serious question, is this the first time we have had a song for a player before he kicked a ball for us?.

Strange times. 

[Carra-ton]

My only worry is he will become the outlet too much. Happened with Xabi, happened with Stevie, with Coutinho. Once players know and trust someone as a get out of jail card, they start using it more often.
I trust we can keep our dynamism whilst using Thiago as an added advantage rather than always going through Thiago.
But I am knitpicking, what a player he is though. Just had Xabi vibes.

Even though Chelsea were down to 10 men, the ease with which we controlled that 2nd half and saving energy, make no mistake that wouldn't have been that easy without Thiago taking all the pressure off.

[The Test]

Was interesting that as soon as this guys came on Virgil immediately stopped looking for the long pass and was content to just give him the ball like "i think this is yours mate, I'll just defend from now on"

[I've been a good boy]

Wish we signed him a few years earlier, absolute gem of a player

[LovelyCushionedHeader]

Wish we signed him a few years earlier, absolute gem of a player

I reckon we would have won the league if we'd have signed him last year

[Jwils21]

So what happened to the Gini or Thiago argument? Both on the pitch at the same time.

Thought Gini had a good game yesterday too, both with and without Thiago.

The options we have in that midfield now are insane.

[Yorkykopite]

Wow! I love this player.

Against ten men of course, but even so. Thiago strolled through most of the second half, but occasionally stepped up a gear and then you were given a glimpse of what he might become if more intensity is needed. Those no-look stiletto passes into the feet of Firmino and Salah when they were in central positions were gorgeous. We've not had that since Alonso was doing the same for Gerrard and Torres. But unlike those days we have also men on the flanks who are pacy and enterprising. Thiago hit these fellas with Swiss regularity as well.

Technically, he must be among the best in the world. I love the way he rearranges passes to him that are slightly inaccurate by using the sole of his boot to put the ball exactly where it should have been. This is speed. Football speed. It's infectious too. Alexander-Arnold (of course it would be him) began to do the same as the half wore on.  Thiago will set new benchmarks. The rest of the boys, being who they are, will aspire to reach them.

What a buy!

[Dubred]

Massive fan of Gini. And if he stays, which it looks like he will now, with a tactical switch for him when on the pitch with Thiago, I think his game is going to go up a level.

Oh and that Thiago fella......not bad eh?

[The-Originals]

cant wait until the fans are back 
https://twitter.com/i/status/1307762924543520769
"Thiago, Thiago Alcantara...

"Thiago, Thiago Alcantara...

"You dance through the midfield like nobody does, the first time I saw you I knew it was love...

"Thiago, Thiago Alcantara."

[Suareznumber7]

Wow! I love this player.

Against ten men of course, but even so. Thiago strolled through most of the second half, but occasionally stepped up a gear and then you were given a glimpse of what he might become if more intensity is needed. Those no-look stiletto passes into the feet of Firmino and Salah when they were in central positions were gorgeous. We've not had that since Alonso was doing the same for Gerrard and Torres. But unlike those days we have also men on the flanks who are pacy and enterprising. Thiago hit these fellas with Swiss regularity as well.

Technically, he must be among the best in the world. I love the way he rearranges passes to him that are slightly inaccurate by using the sole of his boot to put the ball exactly where it should have been. This is speed. Football speed. It's infectious too. Alexander-Arnold (of course it would be him) began to do the same as the half wore on.  Thiago will set new benchmarks. The rest of the boys, being who they are, will aspire to reach them.

What a buy!

This is something a lot of players who grew up playing futsal do.  You used to see Ronaldhino do that all the time.  Stop the ball with the sole of his foot, roll it, and then dribble or pass. 

[redwillow]

Ok serious question, is this the first time we have had a song for a player before he kicked a ball for us?.

When Minamino signed there was a video on Twitter of a song for him to Mamma Mia before he had played

[Paul1611]

was great to watch without that shit pretend crowd noise....  regularly picking up a deep Glasgow 'THIAGO' from Robbo

[Lynndenberries]

Still can't believe we managed to get this deal over the line. Some of the passes he plays are seemingly simple and obvious, but the pace at which he moves the ball is really impressive.

In regards to the penalty, I thought it was really soft. He didn't seem to clip Werner, just brushed him. If that's a penalty, Salah would earn one almost every match.