Former Liverpool star Steve Nicol has hit out at Thiago Alcantara’s defensive abilities - and questioned a decision by Jurgen Klopp.
The Reds ’ poor start to the season continued on Sunday when they were beaten 3-2 by Arsenal. Despite goals from Darwin Nunez and Roberto Firmino, an early Gabriel Martinelli strike and a Bukayo Saka brace handed the Reds a defeat in the capital.
Jurgen Klopp opted to go with the same line-up that had beaten Rangers a few days earlier in the Champions League. Thiago started in a midfield two alongside Jordan Henderson, with the German utilising four forwards in North London.
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Nicol has questioned Klopp’s decision to leave Fabinho out of the starting line-up. The former Liverpool defender went on to criticise Thiago’s ability to defend- and identified it as a problem for the Reds.
“The one thing Liverpool haven’t been particularly able to do is when the ball is coughed up, they’ve not stopped anybody getting at them,” Nicol told ESPN FC.
“Nobody, whether it’s Arsenal at the top of the league or anybody else, they can’t stop anyone getting at them.
“So if you know that, why are you playing Henderson and Thiago? Because Thiago can’t defend, he’s as good on the ball as anybody in the Premier League. Absolutely nobody can argue that, but he can’t get close to anybody, he can’t get close to anybody.
“So when he’s not got the ball he hinders you defensively, so why are you leaving Fabinho on the bench? I seriously don’t understand this.”
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