Thiago Alcantara is struggling at Liverpool and wouldn’t get into their side for the Champions League final if it were tomorrow, according to Michael Owen.
Thiago has failed to hit the ground running after moving from Bayern Munich to sign a four-year deal with Liverpool in September.
The 29-year-old midfielder has been hampered by injuries at his new club, making just 16 appearances across all competitions so far.
He has put those fitness issues behind him, becoming a regular fixture in Jurgen Klopp’s side over recent weeks, but some believe he hasn’t shown his best form during Liverpool’s run of Premier League defeats.
Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes thinks Thiago simply isn’t suited to Klopp’s fast-paced pressing style, having come from the possession-based systems of Barcelona and Bayern and Owen agrees.
“He’s struggling, like the rest of the team but it’s not his fault,” the former Liverpool striker said on Premier League productions.
“I agree with Scholesy that he’s a central player. Playing out wide, you need more legs. But if you put him central then that goes against what Liverpool have based their success on.
“You could probably get away with it with the lesser teams when you just have loads of possession and he’s basically pulling the strings everywhere.
“But to answer your question, a one-off game, Champions League final tomorrow and my whole squad was fit. I would go back to type and no (he doesn’t play). How did we win the Champions League?
“The hardest thing I feel watching him is that he’s got more talent in his little finger than virtually every midfielder in that team. He’s so talented. He’s one of the most talented in the world, yet we are saying if it was a big game tomorrow.
“Would you play him? And I think your general answer is you would probably go with your Hendersons, Fabinhos and Wijnaldums.”
Thiago started in Liverpool’s midfield three alongside Georginio Wijnaldum and Curtis Jones on Sunday as the Reds picked up a 2-0 win over Sheffield United.
But it was Jones who starred for Klopp’s side, opening the scoring with a powerful finish in the bottom corner from Trent Alexander-Arnold’s cross.
Kean Bryan’s own goal, from Roberto Firmino’s shot, helped Liverpool see out the game and put an end to their four-game losing streak in the Premier League.
Thiago can expect to be involved again when Klopp’s side welcome Chelsea to Anfield on Thursday.
