After being so tight-lipped about the announcement, Jürgen Klopp could finally speak about what Thiago Alcantara brings to Liverpool.
When we first saw Klopp talking about the possibility of signing Thiago Alcantara, you could see the excitement in his eyes. The German manager has put himself in a privileged position thanks to his recent success at Liverpool. He is the one calling the shots and hand-picking players for his new project.
Only a few years back, he coached a club that Bayern Munich usually dismantled and now he is the one doing the damage. Make no mistake, having a player like Thiago Alcantara on your side is a luxury. Klopp knows how much he can do for the Reds, as he explained on Liverpool’s official website.
Thiago brings fluidity to Liverpool’s midfield.
“First touch incredible; vision incredible; passing pretty good!”, said Klopp.
“But is quick as well. Work-rate great. His numbers were absolutely special last year in Germany as well, most steals, ball recoveries and all these kinds of things; most passes. But we don’t play like Bayern, so that still will need some time to get settled and nobody should expect – and I don’t expect – the special things immediately, first game, let’s see.”
“It’s a long-term project and we have a good team, so we can give time. But, of course, we want to use him on the pitch, that’s clear. So the work can start now.”
Beaming with excitement.
It was evident that Klopp wanted to tell the world about his new player: “It’s great! Absolutely great. I’m really happy that it finally worked out and we could just do it. It’s very exceptional because in our situation, a lot of people around us talk constantly – ‘What are you doing?’ – bam, bam, bam. Then preparing something like this, working on all different things you have to work in a transfer like this.
“With thinking about a player like him already is a joy, to be honest, because it gives us obviously some options. Then you get in contact with the boy and then you realise, OK, he obviously likes this project as well pretty much, even before he is here, which was really nice. I learned more and more about him as a person; the player I knew before, the person I learned.
“So I’m really happy to bring this wonderful person in as an add-on to the squad, which is just good for football reasons – but for all the other reasons as well. So, yeah, absolutely happy that he’s here.”
Be sure not to miss out on the latest news about Liverpool
Download our brand new App and follow your favorite players, clubs, and much more
