Didi Hamann names three players Liverpool should target and takes new swipe at Thiago
Former Liverpool midfielder Didi Hamann has weighed in on how the club should strengthen while suggesting Thiago Alcantara's time might be up
Didi Hamann has named three midfielders Liverpool should target this summer - and taken a fresh swipe at Thiago Alcantara.
Jurgen Klopp has overseen a major shift in the balance of his midfield this summer. Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai first signed on the dotted line, filling gaps left by the Bosman losses of James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita, before Jordan Henderson and Fabinho both switched to Saudi Arabia.
Heading into the season-opener against Chelsea in 12 day's time there is a fresh look about the options in the middle of the park, however there are still numbers to be made up. The club are prepared to make a second offer for Southampton's Romeo Lavia, while Stefan Bajcetic and Thiago will provide boosts as they return to team training this month.
The latter has not featured since the end of April due to surgery on a recurring hip issue and the recent outgoings mean he is now officially the most senior Reds midfielder at 32, eight years older than second-placed Mac Allister.
READ MORE: Jurgen Klopp may have already found his next great Liverpool partnership
READ MORE: Sadio Mane reveals 'hurt' as former Liverpool star opens up on Bayern Munich exit
Experience of course can be a valuable asset, though in this case Hamann feels not. With increased options in the squad, the German feels Thiago's time at the club is up.
"I've never been a big fan of Thiago Alcantara. He's having far too many injuries and he couldn't get in the Liverpool team last season when he was fit and when there was a lot less competition in his position," he told Lord Ping.
This is not the first time the 2005 Champions League winner has expressed this opinion of Liverpool's no.6, having said the Spaniard is 'one of the most overrated players in European football' when speaking to Sky Germany last year.
"If someone else comes in like Moises Caicedo, Romeo Lavia or Aurelien Tchouameni then the competition will be very tough," he continued in his fresh take on the midfield situation. "Liverpool have Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott and Stefan Bajcetic coming back too, who will all need minutes. I don't see Thiago featuring too much next season, even if he is fit."
Entering his fourth season on Merseyside, Thiago has only one year remaining on his deal. It is currently unknown what life after Liverpool would look like for the former Bayern Munich man, though Hamann feels he would even be suited to two of the club's direct title rivals.
He said: "I'm sure there are clubs interested in Thiago, if he stays in the Premier League, he needs to join one of the top four teams who have a lot of possession, like Man City or Arsenal. The more possession you have, the better Thiago plays.
"He's not the best player out of possession, there might be a market in Spain too. He's been a decent player, not a 'great' player for Liverpool as some people have said. The physicality of the Premier League has gotten to him."