John Barnes thinks Thiago Alcantara might need the Liverpool “crowd for inspiration” as he looks to overcome “unfair criticism” during his time Anfield.
The Spaniard joined Liverpool in the summer from Bayern Munich with a lot expected of the two-time Champions League winner.
However, his introduction into Jurgen Klopp’s side has coincided with a downturn in form from Liverpool this season after winning the Premier League in the last campaign.
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That has led to some fans and pundits to question his role in the team and whether he suits the Reds’ style of play.
However, Barnes thinks he will emerge as a good player for Liverpool next season when fans hopefully return to stadiums.
Barnes told BonusCodeBets: “I can sympathise with Thiago this season and how it has gone for him. Playing with no crowds can be tough for any player, especially one who has only been playing in England for less than a year. He’s joined a team who were playing well, compact and the best team in the Premier League.
“Then suddenly because of the injury situation, he’s now come into a team who are not playing well, as well as getting unfair criticism. The way that he plays with the team we currently have, things just aren’t working at Anfield and I do really feel for him as he is a top player.
“Thiago may feel that he needs the crowd for inspiration and to perform better. When the crowds come back, we may start to see better results for Liverpool, but I’ve no doubt he’ll be one of the top performers next season.”
Paul Scholes is one pundit who believes Thiago would be better suited to another team, he said earlier this month: “The way Liverpool play with the three in midfield, I don’t think he has great legs about him, so that central role would suit him down to the ground,” Scholes told Premier League Productions.
“Once you are in a wider position in the three, it’s very difficult to get around the pitch because he’s not that type of player. He’s not someone who is going to be running out to a left-back. It’s just not his game.
“He just needs to be sat in the middle. Controlling things, bringing players into play and that’s what he’s good at – I just wonder if this way of playing that Liverpool play is suited to his style of football.
“He doesn’t seem a Jurgen Klopp type player, does he? You think of the midfield players he has got and the forward players. Everything is 100 miles per hour.
“I thought he would have been more suited to a Manchester United team. In a two in midfield with a holding player, really good strong defensive player, where he can sit and control games.
“Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool, I don’t see them controlling games. I see them going for the throat in teams. He hasn’t got that energy to really overpower midfield players.”
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