Former Liverpool star John Barnes has claimed midfielder Thiago would be better suited to Manchester City than the Premier League champions.
Thiago arrived at Anfield in a £25m move from Bayern Munich in the summer, fresh from winning the Champions League with the German champions.
At the time the move was hailed as a major coup for the Premier League champions, with many believing they had pulled off one of the deals of the summer in securing the Spaniard.
The move has not worked out that way, though, with injuries and a lack of form meaning Thiago has not been anywhere near his best for Liverpool thus far.
Indeed, the midfielder has found himself coming under fire at times, with many believing his more careful, patient approach is causing issues for a Liverpool side designed to play fast, ‘heavy metal’ football.
Barnes certainly agrees with that notion and believes the player would be better suited to Manchester City as a result.
“We have to get used to the way Thiago plays. Thiago is a different type of player,” he told Sport 1.
“We have got used to playing a special style over the past three years. Above all, Thiago is a fantastic player. He’s very good on the ball.
“In some ways, and seeing how Manchester City play, he might be a better fit for Manchester City because of the way he plays.
“Liverpool are in the process of adopting a different style of play compared to that of the past three years, which has been very strong and physical.
“Now they realize that they have to adapt to a player like Thiago. He’s very tricky, very good in tight spaces. But it takes time for the players and for him to get used to each other.
“Of course, Thiago is a great player. And in fact, he has personally shown it for Liverpool.
“But until we get used to his style and he knows exactly what we want, there are teething problems. That’s all.”
Thiago’s struggles at Anfield have brought a new focus on transfers that was previously not there at the club.
The Reds’ transfers have largely been excellent under Klopp’s reign, with the club selling players well and buying even better to build the squad that has brought them so much success in recent years.
It appeared they had continued that this summer with the arrivals of Diogo Jota and Thiago, but the Spaniard’s lack of impact has changed that considerably.
Some feel they have continued their poor business with the capture of Ozan Kabak from Schalke, with his struggling debut in the defeat to Leicester showing as much.
Barnes is having none of that, though, and backed the defender to shine as Klopp’s transfer business has consistently been strong.
“I don’t know much about him,” he added.
“He came from Schalke; I haven’t seen much from Schalke. We haven’t seen him play yet, but of course, Jürgen Klopp doesn’t buy bad players.
“They do their homework with these players. If it hadn’t been January he would have looked to Kalidou Koulibaly or some other player who you would have had to pay £60million or £70million transfer fee for.
“I don’t know much about Kabak but I assume he will be a good player when he comes to Liverpool. I hope he is.”
