FORMER Liverpool midfielder Dietmar Hamann reckons Thiago Alcantara is making the Reds worse – not better.
The Spanish international moved to Anfield from Bayern Munich in the summer but has spent large periods out injured.
Thiago is making Liverpool worse, according to Dietmar HamannCredit: Getty Images
Thiago has recently got a run of games in midfield but it has coincided with Liverpool’s poor form.
Speaking on talkSPORT, Hamann said: “He slows things down and doesn’t really play the way Liverpool play.
“Liverpool in the past have had hard-working midfielders, they were not as skilful as Thiago, but they have the ball to Mane and Salah early.
“If you get the ball early on the wing, and theses guys can run at players they are very hard to stop.
“I just feel with Thiago, everyone was raving about him coming to Liverpool, he’s hardly played.
“He came on against Chelsea and had the most passes in the second half, against a Chelsea team that was down to 10 men.”
Hamann played at Anfield for seven years between 1999 and 2006, alongside the likes of Steven Gerrard.
Jurgen Klopp’s champions are without a win in five league games following Thursday’s defeat to Burnley.
The Spanish midfielder moved to Anfield in the summer but has been hit by injuriesCredit: Press Association
Thiago started the game which saw Liverpool’s 68-game unbeaten home run in the league came to an end.
Hamann has sounded a warning about Thiago changing the team’s dynamics.
The German added added: “He came on against Newcastle in the last 25 minutes, Newcastle were dead on their feet, everyone was raving about how good he is.
“He’s a good player, a skilful player. But there was never a time in Munich where people said, ‘Oh he’s the first on the teamsheet’. So I’d be very cautious when it comes to Thiago.
“And the other thing is, as other people alluded to earlier, he plays a different style of football. He likes to be in possession.
“Liverpool were always good when they weren’t in possession, won it and played quickly forward.
“He’s not that type of player, so it will be very interesting when he does play more often now how it’s going to change the dynamics of the team.”
Dietmar Hamann played seven years at Anfield from 1999 to 2006Credit: Reuters
The Reds haven’t scored in four league games and are now six points behind Premier League leaders Manchester United.
Klopp has had to deal with a long list of injury problems this season, and ever-present midfielders Jordan Henderson and Fabinho have been forced to cover in defence.
Hamann later tweeted: “Liverpool had a lot of possession for quite some time now and always found a way to break up defences.
“The dynamics of the team will change with Thiago in the team. I don’t think for the better.
“He’s best when the team got long phases of possession, everything Liverpool of the last few years is not.”
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp in good spirits looking forward to Thiago Alcantara signing
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
