Liverpool host Burnley later today and the Reds should get a true taste of Thiago. This is the kind of game the Spaniard thrives in.
Liverpool want to beat Burnley today for several reasons. First and foremost, they want to win every game.
But a win would also carry them out of a terrible patch of form. Liverpool haven’t won in four Premier League games now and haven’t scored in three.
The latter hasn’t happened for 16 years, for some perspective.
Burnley are an awkward team to correct that against. They’re defensively resolute and are perfectly happy to leave you with your frustrations going froward.
If it means sitting in two banks of four with two in front, they’ll do just that. Good luck finding the space to do anything.
Fortunately for Liverpool, though, they’re got a not-so-secret weapon to tackle it.
Breaking the lines
Thiago arrived for £20m this season and as far as we can figure out, it was for games like this. Games where teams were happy to frustrate Liverpool and set up accordingly.
He’s a player who excels at breaking down compact teams. Thiago can turn through the lines and pass through the lines – the latter being arguably his greatest skill.
If anyone manages to find a yard of space, one splitting pass can find them and turn the opposition around. That’s how you break down difficult teams.
Alternatively, Thiago can rely on his ability to spread play. If Burnley want to stay compact, the midfielder is capable of easily bringing play from one wing to the next, finding an overlapping full-back or winger.
We haven’t really had a good chance to see Thiago doing all of this. He’s only started three games, after all – two of which were higher-tempo games against rivals.
The other came against Southampton, a team who don’t sit back and frustrate.
Now, Thiago played very well in all three. But we’re expecting to see him at his best later today. The Spaniard could really put on a show.
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