Jurgen Klopp may have just given a big hint about Thiago Alcantara’s future at Liverpool

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Jurgen Klopp might just have dropped a clear hint over Thiago Alcantara’s future at Liverpool.

We’re now halfway through 2023/24 and we’re yet to get even a glimpse of Thiago in a Liverpool shirt. With his contract fast speeding towards its conclusion, there is a worry that it’s a sight we’ll never actually see again.

Although the 32-year-old looks set to hold off any interest in him in January, it has so far felt inevitable that Thiago would be bidding his farewells at the end of the campaign.

But, interestingly, Klopp may just have suggested that the Spaniard’s ‘long-term’ future could well be at Anfield.

Speaking in his pre-Newcastle press conference this morning, Jurgen gave a positive update on Thiago, with an interesting little bit of subtext.

“Thiago is actually in a very good moment. We just have to make sure we don’t use him too early,” said the Reds boss. “There were days he could easily have trained but it’s about how can he be back then in the long-term. That’s what we’re working on.”

Klopp looking out for Thiago long-term

Of course, ‘long-term’ here could just mean the rest of Thiago’s career as a footballer anywhere. Now into his thirties and coming off a near year-long issue, any mis-step here could be really damaging for him.

But we actually do think there’s a little more in this from Klopp.

The Liverpool manager is obviously a big fan of Thiago. There have been claims that Jurgen and his coaches have even been privately bemoaning his absence from the team this season.

It isn’t completely out there to suggest that having been robbed of his No.6 for so long, Klopp wants to make up for lost time and give him another contract.

Of course, any new deal would have to depend on Thiago getting himself back fit. If he remains side-lined until the end of the season, it simply won’t be worth it to Liverpool.

Should he return and prove useful, though – as he reportedly believes he can – then why not keep him around.

There’s no question that a fit and firing Thiago could make a difference to Liverpool’s title challenge. As a result, if Klopp knew he was just getting six more months out of him, he might throw the former Barcelona man in. It might be risky, but Thiago would surely like to help and there’s nothing much to lose.

If the manager is counting on the Spaniard for longer though, then there would be much more to consider. That’s exactly what we think Jurgen has just hinted at here. If Thiago gets fit and stays that way until the end of the season, we think he’s getting a new contract. And we’re all for it.