West Ham United and England star Declan Rice has hailed Liverpool ace Thiago Alcantara... labellin him his toughest opponent.
The 23-year-old has been a key figure of the Hammers’ starting XI following his debut in 2017. He has gone on to accumulate 195 appearances for the club and has been pivotal to the side securing back-to-back European finishes under David Moyes.
In that time, he has come up against a number of formidable opponents but has pointed to Thiago as his most testing opposite number. Asked about opponents who had particularly impressed him, speaking to Tubes and Ange ’s Youtube Channel, he said: “There’s so many. I played against Thiago for Liverpool last season. He’s just so silky. He just plays the game at his own pace. He was proper."
Thiago - a 46-time Spanish international - initially endured a slow start to life at Anfield following his switch from German giants Bayern Munich. Injury disrupted his debut season on Merseyside but he was much improved as Liverpool put together a stunning campaign last term.
He made 40 appearances in all competitions as the Reds lifted the FA Cup and League Cup, whilst also reaching the Champions League final and finishing second in the Premier League table.
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Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has not attempted to hide his admiration of Thiago. Amid claims over the Spaniard being a ‘Rolls Royce’ in the heart of the Reds’ midfield, he gave him plenty of glowing praise.
He said: “He [Thiago] probably wants to be a Bentley, rather than a Rolls Royce, so he’s a bit quicker!” the German replied. "But no, he’s an outstanding player – wow. I knew that when he arrived here, of course. He was unlucky with injuries and stuff like this at the start, but when he is fit he can give the game a real rhythm.
“He’s got an eye for that, he calms the game down in the right moments, he has a sensational overview of the game. I saw that a lot in football games, too, I just didn’t have the feet to use it. So thank God he does!”
Thiago has already got his 2022/23 campaign off to the best possible start with yet another winners’ medal at Anfield. He started as the Reds claimed the Community Shield against title rivals Manchester City at the King Power Stadium.
Trent Alexander-Arnold got the ball rolling in the Midlands before Julian Alvarez equalised for Pep Guardiola’s side. Late goals from Mo Salah and Darwin Nunez sealed the silverware for the Reds.
