Jurgen Klopp has shut down claims that Thiago has been the cause of Liverpool's struggles this the season.
Central midfielder Thiago has been singled out for criticism since arriving at Anfield from Bayern Munich for £20million last summer.
The Spaniard undoubtedly has impeccable technical ability but there were concerns about his suitability to Klopp's high-intensity brand of football.
Thiago's start with the Reds was made difficult by a very limited pre-season and a knee injury he sustained in October's Merseyside derby which ruled him out for two months.
But the 29-year-old produced one of his finest performances in a Liverpool shirt as they eased past RB Leipzig to progress to the Champions League quarter-finals on Wednesday night.
Klopp was delighted by Thiago's display and dismissed accusations he is the reason for Liverpool's dismal Premier League form as "rubbish".
Quizzed on the former Barcelona star by a German reporter in his post-match press conference, Klopp said: "I assume when you all look at Liverpool from Germany, people say [our problems are] to do with Thiago or whatever - that's rubbish.
How impressive was Thiago against Leipzig? Have your say in the comments.
"Thiago was good, they were all good. For the players who were new, they always needed time to get used to our game plan, but Thiago doesn't have that.
"Still, he improves week on week. It's not a short-term project, it's a long-term project and it was good.
"It is very fluid how we work together. The boys played some nice passes and Thiago had a great chance as well.
"I think he could have had a shot on goal but instead passed."
Klopp fielded Thiago on the right of the midfield three and the Spaniard appeared to benefit from having the more combative Fabinho in the holding role, where he would like to continue in upcoming games.
Meanwhile, Liverpool will discover their quarter-final opponent during the draw at UEFA's base in Nyon next Friday.
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