Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Jake Polden

Thiago Alcantara's reaction to N'Golo Kante tackle shows why Jurgen Klopp signed him

Thiago Alcantara showed the world why he's a Jurgen Klopp type of player as he made his Liverpool debut on Sunday afternoon.

And not in the way in which he came off the bench against Chelsea and settled in as if he'd been at the Anfield club for the past ten years.

But instead by the way in which he celebrated a seemingly insignificant passage of play.

Liverpool were drawing 0-0 with Chelsea when Thiago came on for the injured Jordan Henderson at the break.

As aforesaid, the Spaniard, who was signed from Bayern Munich, settled in instantly and began pulling the strings in the middle of the park.

Thiago Alcantara showed the world why he's a Jurgen Klopp type of player on Sunday (Matt Dunham/POOL/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

His deep positioning allowed Georginio Wijnaldum to push further up the pitch, and the squad as a whole appeared more relaxed with Thiago sitting in front of the centre-backs.

Liverpool stormed into a two-goal lead in the second half with Sadio Mane netting with his head before capitalising on a mistake by Chelsea keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga.

The Reds did a good job to see out the match, as Frank Lampard made some attacking substitutes in a last-ditch attempt to get a foothold on the contest.

And it was Thiago who was instrumental in Liverpool keeping the Blues at bay - with one moment summing up why the Spaniard is a Klopp purchase.

Thiago swarms N'Golo Kante and forces him into making a mistake (SkySports)

In the 90th minute, Chelsea midfielder N'Golo Kante found himself in possession of the ball on the right flank.

He was in his own half but was instantly closed down by Thiago, who swarmed the Frenchman and forced him into making a mistake.

The error saw Kante squander possession by knocking the ball out for a Liverpool throw.

As Thiago turned around to get back in position he was seen celebrating his tackle.

The Liverpool star reacts by celebrating the challenge (SkySports)

Klopp has previously been filmed celebrating a tackle while on the touchline - an unusual reaction given many European countries laugh at England's obsession with tough challenges.

But any such reaction is merely an expression of passion, which both Klopp, and clearly, Thiago, appear to have in abundance.

This, coupled with the fact Thiago enjoys pressing high up the pitch to win back the ball, prove undoubtedly he is perfect for Klopp and Liverpool.

* Sign up to the Mirror Football email here for the latest news and transfer gossip

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.