Liverpool head coach Jurgen Klopp has made a decision regarding his squad after seemingly missing out on top transfer targets Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has assured Thiago Alcantara of his future at Anfield after holding talks with the midfielder as the Reds boss prepares for disappointment in their pursuit of Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia. The Merseyside outfit could miss out on their top two midfield targets as Chelsea line up a combined £170million deal, and their failure to sign both players could enable Thiago to prolong his career in the Premier League.
The Spain international has been linked with a move away from the club after only playing a bit-part role last season, owing to injuries and vast options in the midfield area.
The 31-year-old has attracted interest from elsewhere, with Saudi Pro League club Al-Ahli submitting a £10m (€12m) bid for the playmaker earlier this summer.
After holding talks with the Spaniard about whether he has a role to play in the squad this season, Klopp insisted the midfielder would play an integral role in their midfield.
“He’s now training, he came in and asked about his role and we spoke,” Klopp told reporters at Friday’s press conference.
“[He’s a] super experienced player, he stepped up in that department. He has only been in team training for a week but very vocal, he is going to be very helpful for us.”
Thiago is one of the few remaining midfielders from last season’s squad after Klopp oversaw a major overhaul to his options in the middle of the park. Fabinho and Jordan Henderson headed to the Arabian Gulf with Al-Ittihad and Al-Ettifaq respectively, while Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and James Milner all departed on free transfers.
Liverpool had agreed a British transfer record deal worth £110m to sign Caicedo from Brighton on Friday morning to bolster their midfield options, only to see Chelsea respond with a last-ditch offer to turn the 21-year-old’s head towards London.
The Ecuadorian is now focusing on sealing a switch to join Mauricio Pochettino’s side, while Klopp has been left frustrated as Lavia, 19, could soon move to the capital with him.
The Reds have had three bids rejected by Southampton, who have demanded £50m for the Belgian teenager, and their inability to meet the asking price has cost them dearly with Chelsea close to finalising a £55m deal. Klopp does, at least, have Thiago to partner new signings Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai in the midfield three.
Thiago has only recently recovered from his latest injury problem and is now back in training with his team-mates ahead of their Premier League opener against Chelsea.
He underwent surgery on a long-standing hip issue, which forced him out of action for the latter stages of last season, and is gradually working his way back to full fitness. However, he will not be fit enough to start the match on Sunday at Stamford Bridge and may not feature at all during their visit to the west London club.
