Thiago Alcantara’s recent injury setback has reverberated through Liverpool’s AXA Training Centre and beyond, casting a somber mood in Kirkby. Despite returning to action under Jurgen Klopp’s management after a year, Thiago’s playing time was abruptly curtailed to a mere five minutes against Arsenal on Sunday due to another injury, an unforeseen setback for one of the decade’s esteemed players, especially in what appears to be his final season with the Reds.
Despite Liverpool’s significant midfield reinforcements last summer, including players like Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Wataru Endo, and Ryan Gravenberch, Thiago was expected to shoulder a reduced workload. After a season marred by injuries and declared over in April, Thiago underwent hip surgery last May with hopes of returning fully fit for the current campaign. The plan to carefully manage Thiago’s minutes and leverage his finesse to sway tight matches has been hindered by persistent injury setbacks, hindering Liverpool from fully utilizing his unique skill set.
Even with changes in the squad and adjusted responsibilities, Thiago grapples with recurring injuries, casting doubts on his short-term prospects. Since his last start against Wolves in February last year, Liverpool has played over 5000 minutes across all competitions, with Thiago featuring for only a fraction—a stark reminder of his injury-prone tenure.
At 32 years old and one of the squad’s highest earners, Thiago’s departure this summer seems increasingly likely, paving the way for a younger, more resilient replacement. Though acknowledging the challenge of replicating his mesmerizing abilities at his peak, the prevailing sentiment is that any future involvement from Thiago would be considered a bonus. Despite hopes that the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich star can contribute to upcoming challenges, the uncertainty surrounding his fitness raises questions about his continued role with Liverpool.
