Thiago sets huge target after overcoming Liverpool teething problems
Thiago Alcantara believes he has “overcome” the difficulties he faced towards the start of his Liverpool career and is eyeing more success in his second season with the club.
The Spanish midfielder joined Liverpool in a highly anticipated transfer from Bayern Munich last summer. After winning the Champions League with the Bundesliga club, he seemed like someone who would strengthen a Premier League winning squad. But his debut season did not quite go as planned.
Thiago suffered a stop-start beginning to his Liverpool career, affected by a number of circumstances. He finally began to pick up form up in the final couple of months of the 2020-21 season.
Now, he has to get going again, having come on as a substitute in two matches so far this season. But he is confident that he can express himself better this season after a process of adaptation.
Reflecting on his first year with the club, he told Liverpool’s official website: “Well, I don’t know if I’d count it as a year of experience in England as, due to COVID, everything has been closed. So we’ve not been able to enjoy being in the country too much in that sense.
“In terms of the Premier League, I’ve had a year to experience how competitive the game is and the speed of play. As is always the case when you’re adapting, it has been a good year. But at the start I had tough times. I feel that I’ve overcome those now and I’m looking forward to this season.
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“When I arrived here I was already clear on what I could bring to the team and what the team could give to me. We’ll continue working together and I think that we’re always discovering new things, both in terms of those of us that have been here [for a period] and those players that come in.
“That’s how you create that harmony within the group to be able to perform at the highest level and evolve.”
Thiago wants trophies with Liverpool
Liverpool eventually climbed up to third after a turbulent defence of their Premier League title last season. They will be hoping for a smoother season this time around, with Thiago too aiming for more consistency.
He feels the club can compete for trophies again under Jurgen Klopp and sees no reason why they should treat this season as any different.
The 30-year-old said: “Well, I have the same feeling I’ve had in every team I’ve played, which is to aim as high as possible.
“That means to win every competition possible: the league, Champions League and the cup competitions too. That’s always been the objective. I’d say there’s no difference between this year, last year and the one before that.
“We want to win everything and have that hunger to not just win every competition but to win every game.”
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