Liverpool

Liverpool

Premier League • England

Thiago plays down ‘not the most exciting’ Liverpool career claim and shrugs off Man City chance

Thiago Alcantara, Inter v Liverpool February 2022

Thiago Alcantara has played down the prospect of April being the most exciting month in his football career, amid Liverpool’s quadruple hunt.

The Reds have already clinched the first trophy of the season, the Carabao Cup. They are subsequently targeting an unprecedented four trophies in a single campaign. Indeed, they are still in the hunt for the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup.

Liverpool’s continued fight for all three trophies means they face a packed April schedule.

Every game in the Premier League is a must-win, as they chase Manchester City for the title. Liverpool and City meet twice in the month, a title showdown and the FA Cup semi-final.

Meanwhile, Benfica are the Reds’ Champions League quarter-final opponents. Reach the last four and Jurgen Klopp’s side will face a total of nine games in April.

Thiago has experienced hectic and successful ends to a season before. Indeed, he won league and Champions League doubles with Barcelona and Bayern Munich before moving to Anfield.

The 30-year-old has therefore stressed that Liverpool must get through the month unscathed to start getting truly excited.

“The other day I was talking with some friends about it and I never had, in the years that I have been involved in football, I never had a month so exciting like this with such important and exciting matches every three days. So it will be amazing,” the Spain international told his club’s official website.

“Well, it’s not the most exciting month of my career [but] for sure it is exciting because you are competing against the best, in the best competitions as well, but also because it reminds you that we are in finals.

Liverpool’s April defined by crucial two weeks

Liverpool’s April defined by crucial two weeks

Liverpool face a gruelling April schedule as they seek to win a quadruple this season, but a crucial two weeks defines the month for Jurgen Klopp’s side.

“It looks like a World Cup, a European Cup, where every game is a final. With that we are in a one-mission mood and we are there.”

Liverpool’s first April test comes against Watford at Anfield. A win will take the Reds two points above City at the Premier League summit before Pep Guardiola’s side play Burnley away.

Asked if Liverpool see the potential advantage as a psychological blow, Thiago said: “No, I don’t think so. I don’t think to see us on top before City plays would be a boost.

“No, it’s just that we are in a moment where every three points count and we are really glad to arrive at this position and fight and depend on us.”

Thiago and his vital Liverpool role

Thiago Alcantara, Liverpool v Atletico Madrid November 2021

Gary Neville has admitted that he thinks Liverpool are “unbelievably dangerous” and tipped them to do “something special” this season.

He pointed to the “five strikers” – the likes of Mohamed Salah and Diogo Jota – and Klopp’s midfield as their key strengths.

Focusing on Thiago, he enjoyed an impressive start to his Liverpool career but soon faced criticism for not fitting into Klopp’s style of midfielder.

Injury then struck for the Spaniard which kept him out for over two months. He recovered, though, to play a starring role in the Reds’ resurgence to a third-placed Premier League finish last season.

And this term, his influence on the team is clear. He was won 14 out of the 15 games that he has started, including 11 in the Premier League.

What’s more, Thiago has formed a strong bond with Fabinho in midfield. The pair have gone unbeaten in 19 of the 20 matches they have played in from the start, a run featuring 18 wins.

Thiago has also come on as a substitute and helped see wins out for Liverpool. He did so in the FA Cup quarter-final against Nottingham Forest and the 2-0 Premier League win over Brighton.