Thiago Alcantara deal led to 'many unhappy faces' at Liverpool as new issue emerges for Arne Slot
While Thiago Alcantara has been a bit-part player at Liverpool due to injury, his departure and that of others leaves Jurgen Klopp's successor with a headache
Thiago Alcantara's impending departure will leave Liverpool with a very different problem compared to the one he apparently caused upon his arrival.
The Spanish midfielder appeared to be a major coup for Jurgen Klopp when he joined the Reds from Bayern Munich in 2020. It left the German awash with quality midfield options and intense competition for places.
At the time, former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy predicted Thiago's arrival would lead to "unhappy" players in the dressing room. He opined in his Daily Mail column: "Liverpool will have seven or eight players challenging for three positions, which means too many unhappy faces for the balance of the squad."
It was a nice headache for Klopp to have though, and one successor Arne Slot may not have the luxury of, at least in the short-term. Thiago, whose four-year spell on Merseyside has been blighted by injury, will be among the departures this summer.
READ MORE: Watch the Champions League final between Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund with TNT SportsREAD MORE: Thiago Alcantara to leave Liverpool this summer after injury-hit Anfield stintLiverpool have no plans to extend the 33-year-old's contract, which is about to expire. "Appreciation and gratitude – they are two words that come to mind on the day I have to say goodbye to all of you, Reds," said the former Barcelona man in a farewell message.
Defender Joel Matip, 32, another player with fitness issues, is on his way out too after eight years at Anfield. "It has been eight wonderful years here in Liverpool," he gushed.
"I was allowed to be part of an exciting history with a great coach and an astonishing team in an extraordinary club. We have achieved great titles and have the best fans in the world."
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Thiago and Matip won't be the last players to pen emotional farewells to the Kop in the next few weeks, potentially leaving Slot with a major rebuilding job. Speculation continues to rage over Mohamed Salah's future amid interest from the Saudi Pro League.
At the other end of the pitch, Caoimhin Kelleher could be looking for pastures new. The Irishman has done a fine job when filling in for Alisson. But unlikely to usurp the Brazilian as regular number one, Kelleher may be getting itchy feet.
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Another keeper, third-choice Adrian, will also be off with his contract about to expire. "I would like to return to La Liga after 11 seasons in the Premier League. It would be the end of a cycle," he told Spanish media.
Replacing Klopp will be an honour for Slot, but also an ominous task as he looks to fill the obvious gaps in the squad he is primed to inherit.
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