Liverpool may not have gotten the win they had hoped for on their return to domestic action, having withdrawn from the Carabao Cup thanks to a 3-2 loss to Manchester City, but there was plenty to admire about the performance.
Thiago Alcantara shone in midfield, putting on the kind of stylish show that had former Red Don Hutchison taking to Twitter to imagine a midfield duo consisting of Spanish playmaker and transfer target Jude Bellingham.
My God, imagine Bellingham and Thiago together. Thiago’s touches have been different, even with a couple of inexperienced youngsters next to him… ???? Also VVD and Konate ????????
— Don Hutchison (@donhutch4) December 22, 2022
Jurgen Klopp’s men have been watching the Borussia Dortmund prodigy closely for some time now and are expected to launch an offer for his services this summer.
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While it is currently not known with absolute confidence where the “scary” Englishman will end up (as presented by Jermaine Jenas in his England v Iran commentary) beyond the 2022/23 campaign, there is a degree of informed expectation surrounding a possible change to Anfield.
Moving away from the workhorse midfield of Gini Wijnaldum, Jordan Henderson and Fabinho, Liverpool invited technical brilliance with the addition of Thiago in 2020 and seem eager to expand in that department with the signing of Bellingham.
Capable of playing as a six and an eight, the former Birmingham City youth prospect would offer the ideal level of positional versatility Klopp seeks, technical ability in abundance, but without sacrificing the dynamism that is a necessary part of Liverpool’s midfield.
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