Thiago’s move to Liverpool during the summer of 2020 was held by many as the best deal to take place during the transfer window before the start of the 2020/21 season. However, the Spaniard has faced a difficult start to life at Merseyside with injuries plaguing his progress and his performances on the pitch proving well below what is expected from a player of his calibre.
One of the most disturbing starts to show how difficult life’s been for Thiago at his new club is that the player has conceded more fouls than he has attempted tackles during his time under Jürgen Klopp. Opta has provided the stats for Thiago’s defensive record, and it is as follows:
Tackles: 25
Mins-per-tackle: 33
Fouls conceded: 26
Mins-per-foul: 32
Yellow cards: 3
Mins-per-yellow: 274
Thiago’s lack of defensive prowess was also on display during their 2-0 defeat to Everton at home, that was their fourth straight defeat in the Premier League. The Spaniard has not been helping the defense out in counter attacking situations and that, coupled with the fact that Liverpool are struggling with manpower at the back puts in place a very difficult situation for the manager.
One one hand, Thiago’s creativity is very difficult to parallel. However, his tendency to commit in the middle of the park can do more harm than good. After spending years and years with Bayern, the player must be given time to adjust to a new system and a new country with everything so different from what it once was.
