Liverpool face Thiago conundrum as injury woes continue

Liverpool face a difficult decision over the future of Thiago Alcantara after the midfielder was ruled out for the rest of the season with a hip injury. The Spaniard has become a fan favourite at Anfield since his arrival from Bayern Munich three years ago but can no longer be relied upon to stay fit following persistent injuries.

Thiago took some time to settle on Merseyside following his initial move to the club in 2020 but became a key player last season following a number of controlling performances in the centre of the park. However, he has found his game time much more limited during the current campaign with injury niggles preventing him from gaining any kind of momentum.

The 32-year-old has already missed 17 games through injury this season with the number set to become 22 by the end of the campaign. His current hip issue has kept him out since February and will now keep him sidelined for the foreseeable.

Thiago’s injury record leaves Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp with a decision to make. The Spaniard can no longer really be relied upon given his injury issues and with just one year left on his contract the club must start planning for the future despite the team struggling in his absence.

Given his contract situation, Klopp may just decide to cut his losses, offering Thiago up to the highest bidder in order to recoup some of the club’s initial outlay and start raising the funds for new acquisitions. However, the midfielder is unlikely to command a very high fee given his age and deal meaning it may make more sense to keep him around for one more year.

While Thiago can no longer command a guaranteed first-team berth given his unreliability, he is still an immensely talented footballer that is more than capable of changing games. As a result, perhaps the best course of action is to use him as something of a luxury player, bringing him off the bench to help win matches when the team are struggling.

Liverpool are likely to be busy in the transfer market over the summer with midfield set to be their main area of focus. The club have been priced out of a move for Jude Bellingham but remain heavily linked with the likes of Ryan Gravenberch and Mason Mount as Klopp looks to lead a transformation in the centre of the park.

Thiago can help to complement any incoming players at least over the next 12 months and managing his minutes may help to keep him at his best for longer. Regardless, it is a major issue for Klopp to consider over the summer months.