Liverpool fans will love what Thiago Alcantara has recently said about his four years at Anfield - opinion
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Thiago Alcantara was one of the most talented midfielders of his generation, and he showed that in his short time at Anfield.The 34-year-old was an important part of Barcelona’s squad before he moved on to Bayern Munich, where he won the European treble.The Spaniard was a maestro in every sense of the word, and before hanging up his boots spent his time at another one of the world’s best clubs when he joined Liverpool in 2020.Join our newsletter for news & smart analysis. Thiago only made 98 appearances during his career on Merseyside, with three goals in those games, with one being his brilliant grass-cutting strike against FC Porto in the Champions League.But his injuries got in the way of him having a more successful time at the club, with multiple problems with his muscles leading to him leaving the club and retiring from football altogether in 2024.Photo by Stu Forster/Getty ImagesThiago Alcantara said Liverpool ‘encompassed everything’ he wanted in a clubNow he has found himself back in Catalonia, but this time as an assistant coach to Hansi Flick, leading a fresh-looking Barcelona side from the sidelines.Football is something that means a lot to Thiago, and the fact that he had to retire clearly pained the Spanish international.READ MORE: Florian Wirtz may be in trouble after what ‘brilliant’ Liverpool star just did for his countryFortunately, due to his experience, incredible ability, and knowledge, being a coach is a role in which he can be successful.While he only spent four years at Anfield, it is something he has looked back on fondly, and in an interview at the end of September, Thiago spoke glowingly about his time on Merseyside.Speaking to the Coaches’ Voice, the midfielder said that being at the club ‘encompassed everything’ he looked for in a club.He said: “My time at Liverpool encompassed everything I look for in a club and everything I’d always loved.
The feeling of competing for every trophy, of being dominant on the pitch, yet giving off that sense of being a fighting club, where every day you have to battle for a goal.“It wasn’t that we fell short of anything in particular; you just had to really work for it. At Liverpool, I found that blend of being and feeling dominant, while also working hard to make it happen.
After such a long struggle to become a footballer, then to become the footballer I wanted to be, the hardest step was accepting that it was coming to an end.“It wasn’t difficult because of what would come next, but because I had to let go of something I was in love with, due to circumstances beyond my control.”It is such a great tribute to the club and the fans that will definitely be something supporters will love to hear considering he was an admired player.Thiago Alcantara could have been one of the best at LiverpoolIt is a shame because, realistically, he would have been one of the best players in the world, let alone at the club, if he were at full strength.Those appearances Thiago had made showed how incredible he was at dictating play, moving the Reds forward with an unmatched creative flair.There are many players who people point to as ones whose careers would have flourished without injuries, and Thiago was one of them.Going back to Barcelona was a good idea and opportunity, but looking at it now, it would have been nice for him to stay at Anfield to be part of the coaching setup with Jurgen Klopp in his final season or even Arne Slot now.In the future, though, who knows, maybe we could see him have a run as a coach, and what a warm welcome he would receive.