“Unfortunate news emerges for Liverpool midfielder Thiago Alcantara, as reports indicate he has encountered a fresh setback in his recovery from injury, shortly after his return from a lengthy absence due to a hip issue.
The former Bayern Munich and Barcelona player was included in a matchday squad for the first time since April during last weekend’s 3-1 defeat to Arsenal, marking the end of a nearly 10-month struggle with the troublesome hip injury.
Thiago’s injury had prematurely ended his 2022-23 season, and due to several complications, the 32-year-old endured an extended wait for his first appearance in the 2023-24 campaign following Liverpool’s midfield overhaul in the summer.
While Thiago was expectedly named among the substitutes for the trip to the Emirates Stadium, he was considered fit for a brief five-minute stint towards the end of the match, replacing Joe Gomez.
However, despite his limited time on the field, it has been reported by The Athletic that Thiago sustained a muscular injury during his cameo appearance at the Emirates, and he notified medical staff of the discomfort after the match.
“The report indicates that Thiago has undergone further evaluation for the issue, but the duration of his absence due to this new concern is yet to be determined.
Since joining Anfield from the Allianz Arena in 2020, Thiago has been sidelined for an astonishing 107 matches for both club and country, with 41 of those missed games attributed to his recent hip injury.
Throughout his time at Liverpool, Thiago has also grappled with hamstring, thigh, knee, and calf issues, limiting his appearances for Jurgen Klopp’s side to just 98 matches when he has been available, during which he has scored three goals and provided six assists.
Despite initial doubts about his compatibility with Klopp’s high-pressing tactics, Thiago has demonstrated his value to Liverpool when fit, playing a crucial role in their 2021-22 season despite facing frequent injury setbacks.
However, with Thiago now entering the final six months of his Liverpool contract, he is eligible to engage in discussions with foreign clubs. Given his recurring fitness concerns, it is unlikely that Liverpool will offer him an extension
“Barcelona is reportedly interested in bringing Thiago back to Camp Nou, while clubs in Italy are also considering a move for the experienced midfielder as a free agent.
Thiago’s latest injury setback adds to Klopp’s midfield worries ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash with Burnley. Dominik Szoboszlai’s hamstring issue, which sidelined him against Arsenal, will also rule him out for the meeting with Burnley. Stefan Bajcetic is recovering from a calf problem, but Wataru Endo’s return to training after Japan’s exit from the Asian Cup offers a positive development.
Following Liverpool’s defeat to Arsenal, their lead at the top of the Premier League table has narrowed to two points. A win for Manchester City in their game in hand against Everton could temporarily push Liverpool down to second place.