Should Liverpool Keep Thiago or Let Him Go? Exploring the Debate
The future of Liverpool’s Spanish midfielder, Thiago Alcantara, is a hot topic among fans this summer. With interest growing in the 31-year-old, supporters are wrestling with the idea of him leaving Anfield. Fenerbahce and former club Barcelona are said to be among the interested parties, and although no formal approaches have yet been made, the club are aware of the interest from elsewhere as the midfielder enters the final year of his contract.
The mood among fans is mixed, with many sad to see such a talented player move on but also understanding that an eventual phasing in of the new guard is necessary. In this article, we’ll take a look at what fans are saying on the rumours and explore the debate around whether Liverpool should keep Thiago or let him go.
The Pros of Keeping Thiago
Many supporters are keen for Thiago to stay at Liverpool, citing his quality as a player and his role in the 2021/22 campaign as reasons why. As Ross Hanley (@Marco_Ross_10) tweeted, “We have enough quality now to be able to use Thiago as a luxury player and not run him into the ground. He’s one of the very best out there, mad to let him go.”
Craig Hannan (@C_Hannan7) echoed this sentiment, saying, “Don’t really understand the idea of selling Thiago for a relatively small fee. I know it frees up wages but we’ve done loads of that already. We’ll get the best Thiago if we are less reliant on him, pick and choose when we use him with a proper midfield around him.”
Henry Jackson (@HenryJackson87) also praised Thiago’s quality, saying, “One of the best midfield displays by a Liverpool midfielder I’ve ever seen. God I wish he was fit more often.”
The Cons of Keeping Thiago
However, there are some who believe that it would be wise for Liverpool to sell Thiago this summer. Dylan (@DylanR777) argued that “The same people who’ve been crying for a rebuild want to keep a player like Thiago who can provide 10 quality games a season when his legs allow him too. He can’t stay fit and when he is fit he can’t run or press. Time to move on sadly.”
Dave Hendrick (@MrTwoFooted) agreed, saying, “Nobody WANTS Thiago sold. Most people would rather sell Henderson, keep Thiago forever and play him 15-20 times a season. But the SMART thing to do is sell him rather than let him leave for free in 12 months, take the money and reinvest it.”
Maxi (@Maxi_1892) also weighed in on the debate, saying, “Unpopular opinion…I’d be happy to let Thiago go. Too injury prone.”
Compromise and Repercussions
Some supporters have suggested that Liverpool should offer Thiago a two-year extension on reduced wages in order to keep him at the club. Elliot (@Ifcelliot) tweeted, “If we don’t want to sell Thiago, we should offer him a 2 year extension on reduced wages, manage his minutes and get him to complete the necessary badges to join our coaching staff. He would be sensational to have, he would teach technique perfectly.”
However, Phil (@PhilPhenom) argued that if Liverpool do sell Thiago then they need to bring in two more midfielders in order to replace him: “IF we do sell Thiago then we need 2 more CM and that’s non negotiable. IF we only bring 1 in that’s really poor imo and if we bring in none then that’s just neglect.”
Conclusion
It is fair to say that Thiago’s future is a complex issue among supporters, with the vast majority still aware of the unique qualities he possesses. The signings of Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister have marked the beginning of Jurgen Klopp’s midfield rebuild and it is expected that they will not be the last of the incomings in this window.
Ultimately, it will be up to Liverpool to decide whether they keep Thiago or let him go this summer. Whatever decision they make will have repercussions for both the present and future of the club, so it is important that they weigh up all of their options carefully before making a final decision.