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Thiago Alcântara has spent most of his time at Liverpool making people look stupid. Whether it's an opponent who has bitten on a deadly feint or been bisected by a passing lane that no one else could see; or one of the many pundits who believed the former Bayern man was too slow — in both body and action — for the Premier League, they all left Anfield with their tail between their legs.

After virtuoso performances against Manchester City in the FA Cup and Manchester United in the Premier League, the Spanish maestro has conclusively turned all doubters into believers. Finally able to get fit and stay fit, Thiago's influence grows with every game and has become a vital component of Liverpool's hunt for the quadruple. For those fans lucky enough to see him up close, he has become the entertainer — the man most likely to produce that magic moment they're all talking about on the way home. Even his manager can't help but giggle whenever his name is mentioned.


With 10 cup finals left this season, the expectation is that Jürgen Klopp will be picking his strongest team as often as possible. Five days of recovery between the departure of one deadly rival and the arrival of the next means that starting Thiago on Sunday against Everton wouldn't normally constitute a risk. But given the history of the player and the history of this fixture, it might be the perfect time to give him a rest.

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Manchester United on Tuesday was Thiago's 30th appearance this season, out of a possible 53. Although it feels like the Spaniard has been available more often this term, that mark replicates exactly the numbers from his debut season. There have been four separate spells on the sidelines in 2021/22, a common theme that disrupted the end of his time at Bayern. Thiago's last three seasons in Munich featured a staggering 14 different injuries. Each prospective game requires a stricter risk assessment for a player who thrives on rhythm but struggles to maintain it.



The Merseyside derby is the most physically demanding 90-minute game left on Liverpool's calendar. Regardless of form or status, the intensity required to even participate in this fixture is on par with any domestic battle. The respective ambitions of each side this season raises that intensity a few notches, and while Liverpool will hope to control the ball and the game for long periods, Klopp knows that will not be anywhere as easy a task as it was against a disinterested Manchester United.

At Goodison in December, an imperious first 40 minutes from Liverpool that produced two exquisite goals wasn't enough to kill off Everton's spirit. It was only with Diogo Jota's fourth on 79 minutes that the game became comfortable.


That game also featured what was known amongst some Liverpool fans as a "Thiago tackle" — a clumsy foul that produced a yellow card and gave the impression of a man not entirely with the pace of the game. And yet that game was comfortably his most enjoyable derby of three so far. The other two featured a serious knee injury at the hands of Richarlison, and Everton's first Anfield victory this century.

Considering how tricky a fixture this has been for the pass master, it could be the perfect opportunity for his apprentice. Curtis Jones is the man with the most to gain from sharing a dressing room and a pitch with Thiago, and the young Scouser has been absorbing as much of the Spaniard's game as he can, with the hope of one day inheriting his role in the starting XI.

The path has not been entirely smooth. Jones has had injuries of his own to overcome, and an elite band of midfielders to displace just to get a chance, including his would-be mentor. His April to date has comprised one start and 65 total minutes from six games, and yet the feeling persists that with so many fixtures to come — including at least three that allow five substitutes — his season is far from over.

A starting role in a fixture that means so much to him, in which he has excelled before, in which he will be able to match the energy and intensity of Frank Lampard's team, will have many positive side effects. Aside from allowing Jones to maintain match fitness for any potentially vital future cameos, he gains a sense of responsibility and empowerment to be trusted in such a crucial game. At the same time, Thiago is saved for battles in which his influence is imperative.


"Thiago Tackles" have become less frequent, if not completely eradicated. No man on the pitch on Tuesday successfully completed more tackles than him, but there have been times when the 31-year-old's energy levels drop off of a cliff, and he can become exposed.

There would be no surprise if his manager decided that he could handle the white-hot derby atmosphere and come through unscathed. However, with three games in seven days on the horizon, this may be Klopp's last chance to give him a rest. For Thiago, similarly to Joël Matip, the key is quality rather than quantity. That is why you spend £36m on Ibrahima Konaté. That is why you develop Curtis Jones.

It's clear that Thiago is currently enjoying his football as much as those who watch him — a fully fit squad winning games in front of packed stadiums is finally delivering the riches he was denied during a debut season few will remember fondly. Klopp might giggle every time his name is mentioned, but the German's reply always stresses the importance of keeping his star man fit. Klopp knows the real goal is to deliver riches to the trophy cabinet, so we all may have to see a little less Thiago than we'd like.

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