THIAGO ALCANTARA is set to join Liverpool from Bayern Munich for £25million.
The 29-year-old will wear the club’s No6 shirt after agreeing to a four-year deal.
Here’s one way Thiago could fit into Jurgen Klopp’s squad this season
Thiago kicked off his career with Barcelona before he made the move to Germany.
He will bring bags of experience to Anfield after winning the Champions League, seven consecutive Bundesliga titles, four German Cups and the Club World Cup with Bayern.
But Jurgen Klopp faces the tough task of finding a spot for him in his title-winning starting XI.
Pep Guardiola, who signed him for Bayern, said Thiago can play in “three or four” positions.
The 29-year-old is best suited to playing as part of a three-man midfield.
One option for Klopp would be to play him in the holding role alongside Jordan Henderson.
Naby Keita would fill in the hole in front of them – with Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah up top.
Out of all of the players to attempt more than 25 dribbles in the Premier League last season, only Rodri boasted a better success rate than Keita’s 88.5 per cent.
Thiago could pair up with Fabinho in the holding midfield role
In the Bundesliga, Thiago boasted the best dribble success rate with 85.5 per cent.
The pair could form a formidable partnership in the middle of the park during the 2020-21 campaign.
Another option for Klopp would be to start Thiago in the holding role alongside Fabinho.
This would allow Henderson, who made 30 appearances last term, to push up the pitch.
Last but not least, Klopp could drop Brazilian star Fabinho to the defence alongside Virgil van Dijk.
This would be another way that Thiago and Henderson could pair up with Keita ahead of them.
Fabinho could pair up with Virgil van Dijk in the heart of Liverpool’s defence
Thiago is set to sign for Liverpool soon after Bayern president Karl Heinz Rummenigge confirmed the move.
He told Bild: “I can confirm that FC Bayern has finally reached an agreement with Liverpool.
“It was Thiago’s great wish to do something new at the end of his career.”
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A detailed look at Liverpool transfer target Thiago Alcantara
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
