Klopp urged to start Liverpool game-changer against Man United

The Reds have a huge showdown with Premier League title rivals United this weekend, which they cannot afford to lose.

John Aldridge believes Thiago Alcantara is the man that can provide that ‘killer pass’ in the final third that Liverpool have been missing ahead of Sunday’s top of the table showdown with Manchester United.

Jurgen Klopp’s men could be knocked off their perch at the top of the Premier League on Tuesday night if United manage to avoid defeat at Burnley.

Should the Red Devils do so, Liverpool will be under greater pressure to beat their old foes at Anfield. They’re also winless in their last three league games and have failed to score in the previous two outings, allowing their in-form rivals to gain valuable ground in the title battle.

But Aldridge sees a game-changer in Thiago. The former Bayern Munich star has spent most of his debut campaign sidelined with a knee injury. But he’s recently returned to action, having made three appearances since his comeback at the end of December.

“The final ball has not been up to our standard in the last few games and that’s what has been letting us down a little bit after we’ve got in behind the defense and are looking to pick someone out,” Ex-Reds striker Aldridge told the Liverpool Echo.

“I must underline, though, it’s really hard when a team has 10 men behind the ball to do that but you’ve got to see where the ball needs to go and there are ways like putting the ball into areas at the back post.

“Of course, team selection is up to the manager but when you’re thinking about the final ball and picking people out in the 18-yard box – Andy Robertson and [Trent] Alexander-Arnold have been magnificent for the last few years.

“And from midfield, there is no better player to see that pass than Thiago. That’s his forte.

“Whoever the manager plays in there – we don’t know as he’s got a lot of options – but at the moment he is the one that’ll see that killer pass more than anyone.”