The Liverpool star made heartening return to action for a
lengthy injury layoff.
The silver lining on Liverpool’s disappointing 0-0 draw away to
Newcastle were the injury returns of Thiago Alcantara and Xherdan
Shaqiri.
While the latter only managed a desperation run out in the dying
minutes of the match, Thiago received 17-minute cameo that served
as heartening preview of things to come as his first pass was a
no-look ball through the lines to spring an attack as an immediate
reminder to Liverpool supporters of the quality the Spaniard
possesses.
— . (@cfcomps1) December 30, 2020
It was the first action for the ex-Bayern man since he was
sidelined by a horror Richarlison tackle in October’s Merseyside
derby. While the Reds have remained unbeaten in the league in
Thiago’s absence, it was occasions such as today in which a player
of his ilk would have been suited to boss from the off.
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However, Reds supporters, who would already be clamoring for the
pass master to start Monday’s clash with Southampton, will need to temper their expectations as
manager Jürgen Klopp cautioned patience for a player still working
his way back to match fitness:
“Thiago is a super player,” the boss said in his post-match
press conference.
“For the 20 minutes, 12 were brilliant and then he felt the
intensity.
“That’s normal as he trained exactly twice with the team. He
still has some physical work to do, still some rhythm to get.”
With Liverpool’s lead atop the league table now narrowed to a
mere three points, Reds fans will be volunteering in droves to help
Thiago locate that rhythm, wherever it might be, sooner rather than
later.