Thiago Alcantara

[Mark79]

Honestly I was surprised he even started yesterday, thought he’d be rested for Sunday- once I saw the team sheet I figured the plan must be to give him 60 min or so.. ok maybe the yellow accelerated the decision but I reckon Thiago was gonna come off sooner rather than later, to conserve him, for the city game.

Those were 3 planned substitutions on the hour. Thiago’s booking was by the by.

Plan will be to start Thiago and Henderson against City after splitting their minutes last night.

[Mr Pink]

Case in point yesterday, got sloppy and we lost control of the game for 15 mins second half when we were in total control. Got pulled off after and replaced.

I think he got subbed because he got a yellow, think Naby was getting hooked prior to that.

Honestly I was surprised he even started yesterday, thought he’d be rested for Sunday- once I saw the team sheet I figured the plan must be to give him 60 min or so.. ok maybe the yellow accelerated the decision but I reckon Thiago was gonna come off sooner rather than later, to conserve him, for the city game.

Cost us a goal last night.

Was this your first time watching football?? The goal is all on Konate, even though he had a great game apart from that.

[Fredo]

We've consciously sacrificed some of our 'gegenpressing' heavy metal for control and calmer play this season. I still can't get my head round how we can control a game for long periods at the start of a game and then - for whatever reason, and it varies game to game - we flick a switch and can't put two passes together, don't close down quick enough and all drop five yards across the pitch... Baffling. It's not like we play with great intensity from the start anymore but for some reason, brain farts happen when we get sloppy and everyone joins in.

Long for the days when one player has a bit of a 'mare but everyone else is firing so it doesn't matter... Let's hope players find higher levels of control and consistency on Sunday pm.

Yep, we do switch off quite a lot. Maybe thinking the game is too easy, but this stuff cannot be allowed to happen against City or any other top level team.

[Tribute]

I expect someone like Thiago to know when to play a risky pass or try something a bit outrageous and when to play safe, because he's got the experience and quality, that's what makes the truly great players. I always compare great midfielders to someone like Andrea Pirlo, who was the absolute master of controlling the tempo of a football game. I don't think Thiago is right up there yet.

Last night, 2-0 up second half, first leg, great position to be in but game still clearly in the balance. Benfica trying to up the tempo, and at that particular period we failed to get a grip on it and we lost the ball and resulted in Ibou's mistake. Was unnecessary for me, as we were|are a class above these lot and most teams.

I remember same thing happened against Palace a few weeks ago. Cruised and was in complete and utter control for 30 mins, then lost it and they were banging on the door and should have at least drawn with us and we were indebted to Ali's prowess in the end.

This is what this team needs to improve even more. Keep control for the full game and not have ins and outs periods, because to me they could easily become the greatest ever Liverpool side. Last night, we allowed them back in, like the game against Palace and the one against West Ham and a couple more I'm sure.

We've consciously sacrificed some of our 'gegenpressing' heavy metal for control and calmer play this season. I still can't get my head round how we can control a game for long periods at the start of a game and then - for whatever reason, and it varies game to game - we flick a switch and can't put two passes together, don't close down quick enough and all drop five yards across the pitch... Baffling. It's not like we play with great intensity from the start anymore but for some reason, brain farts happen when we get sloppy and everyone joins in.

Long for the days when one player has a bit of a 'mare but everyone else is firing so it doesn't matter... Let's hope players find higher levels of control and consistency on Sunday pm.

[Fredo]

He was a bit sloppy in possession last night, but without Konate's air clearance, that was going upfield and away from danger. Mane and Salah were both well below Thiago's form and lost the ball more often and more easily than him.

We're so used to the high standards across the team, that when one of them has a 'blip' it tends to ripple through the team, irrespective of who the player is. Keita was ok in the first half, poor in the second. Most players were similar... and dropped off intensity and switched off for parts. Disappointing thing is that the subs made little to no difference in quality or pressing...

It's a 1-3 away win in the quarter final of the UCL after all that, so maybe we're all just super-critical at such an important time in the season?
Dunno...

I expect someone like Thiago to know when to play a risky pass or try something a bit outrageous and when to play safe, because he's got the experience and quality, that's what makes the truly great players. I always compare great midfielders to someone like Andrea Pirlo, who was the absolute master of controlling the tempo of a football game. I don't think Thiago is right up there yet.

Last night, 2-0 up second half, first leg, great position to be in but game still clearly in the balance. Benfica trying to up the tempo, and at that particular period we failed to get a grip on it and we lost the ball and resulted in Ibou's mistake. Was unnecessary for me, as we were|are a class above these lot and most teams.

I remember same thing happened against Palace a few weeks ago. Cruised and was in complete and utter control for 30 mins, then lost it and they were banging on the door and should have at least drawn with us and we were indebted to Ali's prowess in the end.

This is what this team needs to improve even more. Keep control for the full game and not have ins and outs periods, because to me they could easily become the greatest ever Liverpool side. Last night, we allowed them back in, like the game against Palace and the one against West Ham and a couple more I'm sure.

Can't be too harsh on them for sure as we're in 4 competitions, but hey we need to discuss about something.

[Tribute]

It's not what I said though. He's not responsible, but generally sets the tone, nuance.

I'm always trying to bring a point of counter balance to things. He's great, but it's always good to see the things he doesn't do great.

He was a bit sloppy in possession last night, but without Konate's air clearance, that was going upfield and away from danger. Mane and Salah were both well below Thiago's form and lost the ball more often and more easily than him.

We're so used to the high standards across the team, that when one of them has a 'blip' it tends to ripple through the team, irrespective of who the player is. Keita was ok in the first half, poor in the second. Most players were similar... and dropped off intensity and switched off for parts. Disappointing thing is that the subs made little to no difference in quality or pressing...

It's a 1-3 away win in the quarter final of the UCL after all that, so maybe we're all just super-critical at such an important time in the season?
Dunno...

[Fredo]

This place is weird sometimes. Keita was perfect and Thiago was responsible for us losing control of the game

It's not what I said though. He's not responsible, but generally sets the tone, nuance.

I'm always trying to bring a point of counter balance to things. He's great, but it's always good to see the things he doesn't do great.

[Paul12]

This place is weird sometimes.

[Kenneth]

This place is weird sometimes. Keita was perfect and Thiago was responsible for us losing control of the game

[Doc_Piptorious]

Each game Thiago plays, he has a period when he becomes sloppy and gets pulled off generally. When he gets to a level of performance where nobody can touch him, he just tries silly things when we have the game in control. That’s what I meant.

Would argue that generally over the course of the minutes he plays that he is far less sloppy on the ball than most of the team.

Think some of his "sloppy" moments stand out due to how close to flawless his passing usually is.

Can think of five or six players last night who gave away the ball more than he did and who also gave the ball away in a manner that allowed for a counter attack or for Benfica to regain position and reset their formation.

TAA was caught out of position a lot last night leading to Konate going into the RB slot a lot and getting caught between two worlds himself as a result. Robertson looked leggy at times and got turned a few times by their wide right attacker after making a lunge.

Mane's passing was not great and he lost the ball quite a bit, same with Salah.

Don't think Thiago tries silly things either. He just tries different things which sometimes do not come off, but we have been crying out for a bit more invention in the centre for ages so not going to complain now that we have a guy with the ability and confidence to attempt the unexpected in order to move the ball on before an opposition player can react to it. Sure it will not always come off but the alternative is to play the % and just recycle the ball over and over and allow the other team more time to get their shape back.


Our midfield last night played well, especially Thiago and Keita.

[Fredo]

I don’t agree with that either.

Of the last 10 league games he’s featured, he has started 7. Of those 7 he played the full 90 mins in 5 of them

Fair enough, I might rescind the "each" game comment. I'm not putting down his contribution, just remarking that his poor spells in games can cost us momentum at times. Last night, despite strolling that game for most parts, Benfica could have ended up level. Apart from that he was excellent.

[rudedog]

Each game Thiago plays, he has a period when he becomes sloppy and gets pulled off generally. When he gets to a level of performance where nobody can touch him, he just tries silly things when we have the game in control. That’s what I meant.

I don’t agree with that either.

Of the last 10 league games he’s featured, he has started 7. Of those 7 he played the full 90 mins in 5 of them

[Fredo]

I’m not twisting your words, that’s what you said

Each game Thiago plays, he has a period when he becomes sloppy and gets pulled off generally. When he gets to a level of performance where nobody can touch him, he just tries silly things when we have the game in control. That’s what I meant.

[rudedog]

Case in point yesterday, got sloppy and we lost control of the game for 15 mins second half when we were in total control. Got pulled off after and replaced. Don’t twist my words ffs.

He’s great, but he does have spells in games when he becomes too confident and needlessly loses possession. It generally sets the tone for the team to follow suit. Cost us a goal last night.

I’m not twisting your words, that’s what you said

I think he got subbed because he got a yellow, think Naby was getting hooked prior to that.

[Fredo]

Each game his sloppy play causes the whole team to drop off a level? I'm surprised we've managed to win any games when he plays

Case in point yesterday, got sloppy and we lost control of the game for 15 mins second half when we were in total control. Got pulled off after and replaced. Don’t twist my words ffs.

He’s great, but he does have spells in games when he becomes too confident and needlessly loses possession. It generally sets the tone for the team to follow suit. Cost us a goal last night.