Liverpool’s Pursuit of Greatness: The Importance of Thiago in the 2021-22 Season
Liverpool has demonstrated relentless drive across all competitions throughout the 2021-22 campaign. Buoyed by an impressive squad depth under Jürgen Klopp’s leadership, the Reds have emerged as serious challengers for titles on multiple fronts—including the UEFA Champions League, Premier League, and FA Cup—having already secured the EFL Cup. With a potential quadruple still at stake, standout performances across the roster have shaped Liverpool’s remarkable run.
While Mohamed Salah has garnered much attention for his impact up front, especially before his post-AFCON dry spell, a compelling narrative has formed around Thiago Alcântara as arguably Liverpool’s second-most crucial figure this season. The Spanish midfielder’s influence stretches far beyond statistics, redefining the team’s play in both attack and defence.
Transforming the Midfield: Thiago’s Role in Klopp’s System
During previous seasons, Liverpool relied on the dynamic box-to-box presence of Georginio Wijnaldum in midfield. However, the 2020-21 campaign exposed vulnerabilities, particularly a need for additional defensive discipline and creative unpredictability in central areas.
Thiago’s arrival in 2020 provided just that missing piece—a midfielder combining positional intelligence, ball-winning acumen, and elite passing vision. Transitioning from a double pivot at Bayern Munich to Klopp’s 4-3-3 required adaptation. Thanks to Klopp’s tailored guidance, Thiago evolved his role:
– Enhanced defensive discipline suited for a midfield trio.
– Strategic use of his passing range and composure to stabilize possession.
– Ability to dictate tempo and launch incisive attacks from deep.
Jurgen Klopp himself noted the successful integration of Thiago by slightly adjusting his positioning, ensuring Liverpool leveraged his football intellect without sacrificing midfield stability.
Unlocking Possession Play: Thiago’s Creative Abilities
After a bedding-in period during his debut season, Thiago blossomed in 2021-22 to become Liverpool’s most progressive midfield orchestrator. Early skepticism regarding his tendency for lateral passes has been replaced by appreciation for his ability to advance the ball and open up defences regularly.
Thiago dominates among Liverpool’s midfielders and stands out in the entire Premier League for his progressive passing. The following table illustrates Thiago’s superiority in two key categories:
| Player | Long Pass Accuracy (%) | Progressive Passes per 90 |
|---|---|---|
| Thiago Alcântara | 80.8 | 9.62 |
| Naby Keita | Comparable | Lower than Thiago |
| Other Liverpool Midfielders | Lower | Significantly lower |
What sets Thiago apart is not just the volume but the imagination of his passes. In high-stakes matches against Manchester City, his range allowed Liverpool to bypass City’s powerful press, setting up goalscoring opportunities with diagonal balls few others would attempt. Not only does he create open-play assists, but he often plays the decisive pre-assist pass, exploiting defensive gaps and enabling attackers like Diogo Jota and Sadio Mané to finish.
Additionally, Thiago excels at carrying the ball through midfield spaces, similar to the likes of Mateo Kovačić. His awareness and skill permit him to collect possession between lines and orchestrate attacks with composure, further diversifying Liverpool’s midfield toolkit.
Defensive Contribution: Intelligence, Energy, and Pressing
Thiago is often praised for his technical finesse, yet his work out of possession is equally vital to Liverpool’s resurgence. While earlier criticisms centered on recklessness in tackles, 2021-22 has highlighted substantial growth:
– Reduction in fouls committed and instances of being beaten on the dribble.
– Critical participation in Liverpool’s aggressive high press, intercepting passes and regaining the ball in advantageous areas.
– Smart positional play that helps trigger Klopp’s trademark gegenpress when possession is lost.
The following table summarizes defensive contributions by Liverpool midfielders:
| Player | Tackling Success (%) | Fouls/90 | Defensive Success Index* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thiago Alcântara | 29 | Reduced vs previous season | High |
| Naby Keita | Higher | Low | Top |
| Other Midfielders | Varies | Varies | Lower |
*Index reflects balance of successful tackles, interceptions, and pressing effectiveness.
With Liverpool winning 16 of the 18 matches Thiago started, his impact on results underscores his value. While Jordan Henderson remains a leadership mainstay, Thiago’s partnership with Fabinho and Keita has provided Liverpool with optimal balance—combining pressing, ball retention, and incisive creativity.
Summary: Thiago’s Indispensable Status in Liverpool’s Historic Ambitions
Thiago Alcântara has firmly established himself as one of Liverpool’s most indispensable players for the 2021-22 season. His technical excellence, tactical intelligence, and relentless drive have made him a central figure in Klopp’s ambition for a historic quadruple.
As Liverpool enters the campaign’s defining stretch, Thiago’s form and fitness will likely prove decisive. Whether or not the Reds capture every trophy remains to be seen, but their pursuit of silverware is inseparable from Thiago’s continuing brilliance in midfield. His elegance in possession, improved defensive contributions, and unrivaled passing make him not just Mohamed Salah’s supporting act, but a driving force behind Liverpool’s exceptional season.
