Thiago’s Injury Setback: Klopp Adjusts Liverpool’s Midfield Strategy

The Unforeseen Delay in Thiago’s Return

Liverpool’s midfield maestro Thiago Alcântara was slated to rejoin full training this week. However, Jurgen Klopp has had to recalibrate his plans due to an unexpected delay in Thiago’s recovery. Initially, Klopp had indicated that both Thiago and Curtis Jones would be back in full training, particularly ahead of the Newcastle clash.

The Current State of Affairs at AXA Training Centre

As Liverpool resumed their training sessions at the AXA Training Centre, preparing for Aston Villa’s visit to Anfield, Thiago was conspicuously absent. While Curtis Jones has rejoined the squad and Stefan Bajcetic has ramped up his training intensity, Thiago remains on the sidelines.

The Underlying Issue: Thiago’s Hip Surgery

The Spanish midfielder underwent hip surgery in May to address a lingering issue, with the aim of being fit for the new season. Unfortunately, he has experienced a minor hiccup in his recovery process. Klopp shared with the media, “Thiago had a little setback. Started training with the team and had to slow down a bit. It’s unfortunate for him and for us.”

Klopp’s Revised Game Plan

Klopp is now looking at the upcoming international break as a window for Thiago to regain his fitness. “Thiago will use the international break to get up to speed, and that should hopefully be sufficient,” Klopp stated.

Thiago’s absence comes at a time when Liverpool’s midfield is undergoing significant changes. With the recent addition of 21-year-old Ryan Gravenberch, the age dynamic of Klopp’s midfield has skewed younger, leaving Thiago and Wataru Endo as the only players above 30.

The Long-Term Implications for Thiago

Given his age and recent surgery, these setbacks are unfortunately not surprising. With his contract set to expire at the end of the season, questions are being raised about Thiago’s role in Liverpool’s future plans.