Pep Lijnders talks about the fitness of Thiago Alcantara ahead of Liverpool vs Leicester
Liverpool Assistant Manager, Pepijn Lijnders, offered an update on the fitness of midfielder Thiago Alcantara, acknowledging the team’s longing for his presence on the pitch.
As the Reds prepared for their Europa League opener against LASK, Thiago did not train with the squad. Lijnders has confirmed that the Spanish midfielder has not yet fully returned to team training and is unavailable for selection in the upcoming League Cup clash against Leicester. Here is what the gaffer’s assistant had to say via ECHO:
“We miss Thiago and his quality. We want him back. He’s still not back in training but he’s healing. Time will tell how that goes.”
Thiago has seen himself sidelined with a hip injury since April and has yet to feature in a matchday squad this season. Despite his absence, he remains a key figure in Liverpool’s midfield plans.
Liverpool has missed Thiago’s unique quality in the midfield. However, the team has seen promising performances from Alexis Mac Allister, who has shown similar control in the middle and the ability to distribute the ball effectively to the right players. The likes of Curtis Jones and Dominik Szoboszlai are also doing great and helping the team in transition.
The Spaniard Wizard!
While Lijnders expressed a desire to have Thiago back in training, it is evident that the midfielder is still undergoing individual training sessions as part of his rehabilitation process. The assistant manager described Thiago’s current training regimen as “simple but effective,” highlighting the importance of allowing him the necessary time to regain full fitness.
Thiago’s absence has undoubtedly been felt by Liverpool, but his return to action is eagerly anticipated. The midfielder’s technical skills and ability to dictate the tempo of the game have made him an integral part of Jurgen Klopp’s midfield setup.
As the healing process continues, Liverpool fans will be hopeful that Thiago’s return to full training is on the horizon. His presence on the pitch could provide a significant boost to the team’s midfield options and add to the depth of talent at Klopp’s disposal.
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While Liverpool patiently awaits Thiago’s return, the focus remains on maintaining their strong start to the season and competing for honours on multiple fronts.