Liverpool have one positive after Everton clash following huge blows

Liverpool star Thiago Alcantara is everything we thought he would be.

Liverpool humble noisy neighbours to go second in the table, three points adrift the top of the premier league table.

The two clubs either side of Stanley Park locked horns in a feisty game. Liverpool drew with Everton 2-2.

Thiago was the focal point of the Liverpool style of play. He certainly was everything we thought he would be, and a lot more.

Let us take a deeper look at Thiago Alcantara who was the master of the puppet show at Goodison Park.

More from Rush The Kop

• Set to return, Virgil Van Dijk facing heavy criticism back home
• Liverpool making late comebacks all the rage once again
• Wolves tilt gives Klopp opportunity to tinker with lineup following international duty
• Players to watch in the matchup with Wolves
• Predicting Liverpool’s Next Five Premier League Fixtures

We all knew Thiago is a highly creative and technically gifted playmaker. He showcased his excellent dribbling skills and ball control. With Jordan Henderson playing alongside, Thiago had an extra couple of seconds on the ball which allowed him to operate effectively in his new midfield playmaking role for Jurgen Klopp.

We all thought that Klopp would play him in a more advanced playmaker role but he sat in the left side of a midfield three. He controlled the game with his accurate distribution, switch in play, passing technique, interceptions and vision.

His ability of switching feet when in possession of the ball allows him to draw technical fouls in potentially dangerous areas. Which with the distribution of Trent and Robertson could help create set-piece chances.

One of the things we did notice is that Thiago allowed Liverpool that extra bit of possession. When Liverpool had the ball, we often saw Liverpool play with a back three with Fabhino slotting between Matip and Gomez with TAA and Robertson pushing as proper wing backs.

If we look at his stats for the game, we can see that he has settled in well and is pulling the strings in midfield.

Attacking Statistics for Thiago based on WhoScored:

• Touches: 93
• Passing Accuracy: 92.1%
• Key Passes: 2
• Shots target: 2
• Dribbles: 4

Defending Statistics for Thiago

• Interceptions: 2
• Tackles: 1
• Clearances: 1

This is what Klopp had to say about Thiago and his performance against Everton in the post-match interview.

“The red card from Richarlison, it’s not only a red card for Everton it’s a massive foul on Thiago as well. Thiago has a proper knock there, he has ice now, we don’t know what he has, it doesn’t look good, to be honest.”

“It’s getting harder and harder to take. The best derby we have played here. Our goals were brilliant. I leave the pitch and Thiago tells me he thinks he was injured from Richarlison.”

If this is the trailer of what we are going to get to see over the next couple of seasons, Liverpool are certainly going to get better. With Thiago settling in and playing more games with the Champions, it only promises to make them stronger! (Yes, that’s possible!)

What did you make of the Everton game?