Thiago hurt again, injury plagued LFC stint likely over at end of season

There is no denying that when he is fully fit, Thiago Alcantara is one of the most gifted footballers in this Liverpool squad.

His passing range is out of this world and his technical gifts are something to behold when he is on. However, during his nearly four stint at Anfield, we have not seen this sublime ability very often.

More often than not, we have seen him battling fitness issues that have kept him off the field. When Liverpool bought him from Bayern Munich in 2020 for £20 million, they went against their normal transfer policy as Thiago was already pushing 30.

The bargain for such a talented player was seen as too good to pass up. To his credit, Thiago has provided some magical moments in a Liverpool shirt. Perhaps none more memorable then this sweet strike in the Champions League.

When he was on, he was a fixture in Jurgen Klopp's Staring XI. His ability to control the pace of a game is something that not every midfielder has.

However, niggling injuries soon became long-term absences which became full blown breakdowns. On Sunday, the silky Spaniard made his first appearance in 10 months for the club as he had been recovering from hip surgery and battled through multiple setbacks.

It was a refreshing sight to see him back on the pitch. Unfortunately, during his very brief cameo, he felt a muscle problem that has now confirmed a further absence will be required.

It's a brutal turn of events for the man, because by all accounts he is well liked in the dressing room and works hard to get through each rehab stint.

As it were, with just a few more months left on the deal he signed upon his arrival from Germany, the writing appears on the wall for his departure on a free this summer.

I wrote an article last year debating whether or not the club should have sold him to make some kind of profit. As it were, they decided to stick with him and it has not paid off.

You never want a player to get hurt, especially one as tantalizing to watch as Thiago. He has only made 98 appearances in his four years with Liverpool, registering 3 goals and 6 assists. That is not even close to what we know he is capable of.

Instead, he just could not overcome his body letting him down time and again. It's a shame, but that is the nature of this demanding sport. Liverpool will move forward in their revolution, and unfortunately, Thiago will not be a part of it going forward.