Comparing Liverpool’s record with and without Thiago Alcantara in 2020-21

Planet Football • 29 Apr 2021

Since joining Liverpool in 2020, Thiago has struggled to recapture the form he displayed during his seven years at Bayern Munich.

Despite enjoying a promising debut against Chelsea, Thiago has had a difficult season at Anfield amid Liverpool’s struggles and is yet to register a goal or assist for the Reds.

We’ve taken a closer look at Liverpool’s record with and without the Spain international in the starting XI in all competitions this season.

Interestingly, the Reds average more points per game and have a higher win percentage when Thiago is either on the bench or missing from the matchday squad altogether.

While Thiago doesn’t have much of an impact on Liverpool’s defensive record, the Reds score fewer goals on average with the 30-year-old in the team.

The midfielder missed much of the first half of the season, when Liverpool were in good form, with his return coinciding with Jurgen Klopp’s side’s downturn since the turn of the year. Is Thiago part of the problem or is he simply unlucky not to have had the chance to impress in a full-strength team?