It was always a question of when and not if for Thiago Alcantara at Liverpool.
Everyone knows what a class player he is – the real issue has been how best to fit him into Jurgen Klopp’s style of play.
And recent performances have indicated the penny has dropped for the Spaniard.
With Liverpool playing three midfielders in the central areas, Thiago simply has to be the one playing in the more advanced position.
He’s the one who has the quality with the final ball or is able to make decisive passes in the last 25 yards of the pitch to help turn defences.
The midfield blend has to suit him, and Fabinho back in a defensive position has made a huge difference.
Thiago, though, has to score more goals as he has that in his locker. He showed that against Southampton earlier in the month, and at West Brom on Sunday he tested the goalkeeper with some shots from range.
He should be scoring between five and eight goals a season, but to do that he needs to be as far up the field as he can.
There’s nothing wrong with him dropping deeper to get possession, but that shouldn’t be where he spends most of his time.
Thiago has clearly now got up to pace with English football after his injury. And while he has never been the quickest, his blistering pace is in his brain – and that’s started to show in his range of passing and the speed in which he is moving the ball.
It’ll be interesting to see how a midfield of Jordan Henderson, Fabinho and Thiago fares next season.
It seems as though it could be a good mix.
Trent has to go
England will be making a ridiculous decision if they don’t take Trent Alexander-Arnold to the Euros.
Going forward, they simply don’t have a player like him.
Mind you, if Trent stays as home then I’ll be made up as he needs rest from a Liverpool point of view.
And while the lad will be desperate to be involved, at his age he’s going to have the chance to get a few more World Cups and European Championships under his belt.
I actually think Gareth Southgate is a good manager and I can’t see Trent not being taken – I don’t think Gareth will be that naive to overlook the Liverpool right-back.
Trent has certainly had the bit between his teeth of late. Since he was omitted by England in March, he has got himself back to his old form and was rampant at Old Trafford last week.
You can see in his face how desperate he is to secure Champions League football.
England will be the loser if they don’t take Trent to the Euros. But I think they will.
Dyche will follow the script
Burnley next for Liverpool – and we know exactly what to expect.
Sean Dyche will ask his team to bombard the centre-back pairing of Nat Phillips and Rhys Williams and play long and high.
Fabinho, then, has to be the daddy for 90 minutes. He has to help out the inexperienced defenders.
Against West Brom, sometimes he was pushing forward a bit too much and exposing Phillips and Williams, certainly in the first half.
But on Wednesday he should be asked to sit a bit deeper and give them guidance. Let Thiago and whoever else plays in midfield look after the rest of the engine room.
If Liverpool keep a clean sheet at Turf Moor – and how much better will it be with fans back in there? - then they will win.
